[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:14] Councillor Winsor, water district. Town, council roll call, please. Council member Leap. Here. Council
[0:22] member Salmon. Present. Council member Wal. Here. Vice Mayor Potter. Here. And Mayor
[0:27] Renoza. Present. And I'm here with our honorary youth mayor of Olin, Renoza, Osegara. And
[0:34] now I will read our unity statement. In the heart of Winsor, we stand together bound by the
[0:39] strength of our relationships, the spirit of service,
[0:42] and the pursuit of shared purpose.
[0:44] Consistent with our values of community and diversity,
[0:47] we embrace and acknowledge our relationships
[0:49] with people in history.
[0:51] We honor the land that sustains us,
[0:53] recognizing its history, its growth,
[0:55] and the development that shapes our modern community.
[0:58] Through careful stewardship and planning,
[1:00] we build a town that balances progress
[1:02] with preservation, ensuring Windsor remains
[1:05] a place of belonging, goodwill, and unwavering purpose.
[1:08] It is our commitment to respect cultures, make space for connection, honor history, and
[1:14] create a deep appreciation for our whole community.
[1:18] Honorary Mayor, can you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?
[1:21] Yes.
[1:25] Oh, it's Pledge of Holdings.
[1:27] That's it.
[1:28] That.
[1:29] The United States of America.
[1:31] And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God in the visible with liberty
[1:38] and justice.
[1:42] You did a great job. Thank you very much. And now I'd like to ask if there's any changes
[1:48] to the agenda? No changes that I'm aware of, Mayor. All right, perfect. And now I'd like to report
[1:57] out of a closed session we had on September 2nd. There was a conference with our legal counsel on a
[2:04] A couple of items, so please bear with me.
[2:07] We have an existing litigation with bourbon and birdies
[2:10] investigation LLC versus the town of Windsor.
[2:13] There was another existing litigation
[2:14] with Evergreen Windsor, MHP LLC versus the town of Windsor
[2:19] at the Sinema County Superior Court,
[2:22] conference with legal counsel for another existing litigation,
[2:27] Evergreen Windsor and HP,
[2:30] town of Windsor with the United States Court
[2:31] of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
[2:33] and then there was an anticipated litigation initiation of a litigation
[2:39] pursuant to paragraph 4, subject of section 54956.9, one potential case.
[2:45] The closed session adjourned at 907 with no reportable action taken.
[2:51] And now we're going to start with our agenda items in section 7, presentations
[2:56] and proclamation. And first we're going to have a presentation for our Windsor
[2:59] day parade. And we have a recreation division manager.
[3:06] Is that his presenting?
[3:16] Hello Mayor and Council. I'm the Recreation Division Manager, Nell Hermann, but I'm
[3:21] really here to introduce the Kiwanis Club of Windsor. They're here to talk to you
[3:25] about the Windsor Day Parade and sort of passing of the torch of the previous
[3:29] Duke and Duchess and the new Duke and Duchess.
[3:37] Madam Mayor, Council members, thank you for allowing the Quantice Club of Windsor
[3:44] sign to speak at this meeting.
[3:48] My name is Sherry Ruben and I along with my fellow Club members that are in the audience
[3:54] are here to announce the 2026 Duke and Duches for the Windsor Day Parade to be held on Saturday, September 26th, 2026.
[4:07] And we'll be retiring the 2025 Duke.
[4:12] Roberto, I know.
[4:16] He's anxious to move on, and the Dutch is unfortunately at 10.45 this morning, she sent
[4:25] me an email stating she would not be able to attend, but that's Tiffany Holberg.
[5:01] The first duke was 1982, and they added the duchess in 1983. The Windsor-Wannis club started
[5:12] organizing the parade in the mid-1980s, where they were tasked with selecting the duke and
[5:19] duchess based on their community service. Nominations from the community are taken,
[5:26] and the individuals are selected based on their contributions to the community.
[5:33] Roberto.
[5:35] Richard.
[5:37] No.
[5:37] Nice to meet you.
[5:38] Can you come up?
[5:39] Where's the hat?
[5:41] I'm with the hat.
[5:42] Where's the hat?
[5:43] Where's the hat?
[5:49] Roberto,
[5:53] educated our children
[5:55] and the Windsor and Hillsburg school district.
[5:58] the J.C. and through tutoring. He raised funds to provide scholarships. He
[6:08] created clubs. He saw the potential in young people and helped them achieve
[6:14] their potential. Richard?
[6:23] Thank you, I travel time.
[6:55] So for those watching at home or listening, they're passing around a picture from the last parade and a
[7:02] plaque day up here. We're going to get a picture. Somebody wants a picture. Sorry. Okay. Are we done with?
[7:09] Okay. No.
[7:14] Okay. Okay. So say here. Okay.
[7:20] This year's Duke and Duchess are the first couple
[7:25] that we've had since the 1990s. This means their husband and wife. This year's Duke and Duchess
[7:35] is Larry and Monica McCabe, barely new to Windsor, and boy is Windsor Lucky.
[7:43] Would you like to come up
[7:55] and will Larry
[8:00] and Monica raise their children in
[8:03] Sunnyvale, and they moved to Windsor in the spring of 2020 to be close to
[8:09] their grandchildren. And I bet you close you were because that was right in
[8:14] COVID, right? Two weeks to slow the spread. Two weeks before the spread. Well, we're still
[8:19] lucky to have you. They met in college and have been married for 41 years. Their idea
[8:25] of good retirement is the opportunity to give back to the community and boy have they. Since
[8:34] moving to Windsor, Larry and Monica have both been active in the Rotary Club where Larry
[8:40] served as president and Monica chaired the service committee. Making a great team, they
[8:47] have led the community circle drive for the past three years because Larry says he
[8:54] led it, but he couldn't do it without Monica. So I had to add that, I'm sorry Larry.
[9:03] Larry
[9:03] can coordinate a local mills on wheels, delivery route, both he and Monica volunteer to
[9:12] deliver as drivers for the day, Windsor Wheels and for the Windsor citizens for a simple
[9:19] gesture. Larry currently chairs the Windsor Service Center advisory council and our commission
[9:28] and previously served on the Sonoma County Aging and Disability Commission.
[9:34] He volunteers doing taxes for low income individuals.
[9:38] He is also volunteered for three years at the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
[9:45] He's participated in Leadership Windsor, and he's an active leader at the Windsor High School Interact Club.
[9:55] you forgot to add that.
[9:59] Thank you.
[10:01] She shared the community circle fundraiser, Freaky Halloween, for two years.
[10:28] She's an
[10:29] As a former preschool teacher, Monica loves to volunteer at her granddaughter's classrooms at Maddie Washborne,
[10:38] and she helps teach religion at St. John Baptist Church in Hillsburg.
[10:44] The Quantis Club of Windsor cannot think of a more deserving community members than Monica and Larry.
[10:52] As Duke and Duchess, you will preside over the 2026 Windsor Day Parade and we
[11:03] encourage you to wear the top hat and the tiara that you're going to be
[11:07] presented tonight for an entire year. The community needs to know what you do for
[11:16] for the Windsor Day community, so thank you.
[11:20] So, Bertha,
[11:25] would you like to clean down there?
[11:32] Oh, there you go, but it is.
[11:36] Yeah, do it that way.
[11:37] Okay, all right.
[11:39] And Monica, I present to you to get it off me.
[11:45] Oh, thank you.
[11:47] Thank you.
[11:47] Thank you.
[11:48] And closing the Windsor Day Parade would like to thank the current council as well as previous council for their grants which allowed Windsor to have our small town parade.
[12:02] Thank you for your time tonight.
[12:05] Thank you.
[12:06] Thank you.
[12:12] Okay.
[12:13] And now we have item 7.2.
[12:15] Councilmember Sammon, if you could read this proclamation.
[12:18] give it a go. I proclamation the town council, the town of Windsor proclaiming the week of September 19th through the 27th as Creek Week and Pollution Prevention Week.
[12:30] Throughout much of California, including the Russian River Watershed, cities, counties and other stewardship organizations recognized the 3rd week of September as Creek Week and throughout the United States, the 3rd week of September is also recognized as National Pollution Prevention Week.
[12:46] Our pollution prevention practices are inherently linked to the health of our watershed lands
[12:52] and waterways, and the town of Windsor Stormwater Management Program supports the reduction
[12:57] of pollution by providing our communities with knowledge to be effective stewards of the
[13:02] Russian River watershed.
[13:05] Pollution in the form of trash, debris, and sediment from construction and many land use activities
[13:12] all have the potential to degrade the quality of life and the quality of resources within the Russian River watershed.
[13:20] The Russian River watershed along with its nearly 1500 square miles of land, 238 creeks and tributaries,
[13:28] and approximately 360,000 residents are important resources to the people of Sonoma and Mendocino County.
[13:36] During Creek Week and Pollution Prevention Week, Creek River and Ocean cleanup campaigns will take place throughout Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
[13:44] The town will partner in the 40th annual Russian River Watershed Cleanup event on Saturday, September 19th.
[13:50] Where all town residents and employees are encouraged to volunteer and participate in the trash cleanup event in Windsor, or one of our other Creek Week activities throughout Sonoma County.
[14:02] Now, therefore, it is resolved that the town council, the town of Windsor, does hear
[14:06] Brightbow claim the week of September 19th through the 27th as Creek Week and Pollution
[14:12] Prevention Week.
[14:13] And we have someone from the staff to Mr. Perez.
[14:19] Yes.
[14:24] You could take that first page off.
[14:26] Pull the first page off.
[14:27] Okay.
[15:01] Thank you so much, council. I have here a aerial majorana from Russian River Keeper. Russian River Keeper has been an amazing partner. Helping organize the Creek Week cleanups every year. I just want to say thank you so much for your continued support over the years to raise awareness and continue our operations in supporting the health of the watershed and
[15:31] And just a reminder, our stormwater co-permitis have a great resource for pollution prevention,
[15:42] and that's streets2creaks.org, so there's a lot of good practices you can look up for
[15:49] your home or business on streets2creaks.org, so thank you so much.
[15:56] Thank you.
[15:57] Thank you.
[15:58] Hi there. My name is Ariel. I'm with Russian River Keeper. I'm the community engagement manager over there. And I just wanted to come and thank you all for supporting the 40th annual Russian River watershed cleanup that's coming up this Saturday.
[16:12] As part of the state coastal cleanup day and all the other clean ups going on all around the state.
[16:17] It's a really big deal for us because it's the last chance we get to really clean up the entire watershed before the winter rains come in.
[16:25] After the summer and everyone's had lots of fun out on the river and throughout the watershed.
[16:30] It's just the perfect time to get as much trash as we can before the winter rains.
[16:35] So last year we actually were able to clean up 13 tons of trash across the watershed and had 525 volunteers come out to help do that.
[16:45] This year we're on track to have 570 volunteers.
[16:49] One of the cleanups in Windsor that we're doing has 40 people signed up and so we're
[16:55] really excited to get everybody involved.
[16:57] It's a really fun event just to get outside, meet your neighbors, everybody else who's
[17:02] trying to help keep the watershed clean.
[17:05] So it'll be a really great day if anyone's interested in coming out.
[17:09] We'll have a main hub at Healdsburg Memorial Beach if you wanted to just come and sign up
[17:14] that day. You can or you can check out online the town of Windsor cleanup. But we really
[17:20] appreciate the town of Windsor being part of this event and sponsoring and providing
[17:24] some funds for the supplies and volunteer appreciation and everything that goes into
[17:30] this big event. So I just wanted to come say thank you for your support and anyone else who's
[17:35] interested in coming along please help out. Before the winter rains cuff, thanks. Thank you.
[17:47] and now I'm going to have the vice mayor read a proclamation in English. This is a proclamation
[17:54] of the town council of the town of Windsor proclaiming September 15th, 2026 through October 15th,
[17:59] 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Whereas we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th
[18:05] to October 15th to recognize and honor the invaluable achievements and profound contributions
[18:10] of Hispanic Americans who have enriched our nation's history and inspire generations of success.
[18:15] And this important observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President
[18:21] Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to a 30-day period
[18:27] formally enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
[18:31] The theme for 2026 is honoring the past, inspiring the future.
[18:35] And whereas the Hispanic community's presence is woven into the fabric of our town, reflected
[18:40] In the countless business owners, dedicated educators, skilled medical professionals, brave
[18:45] first responders, compassionate caretakers, civic leaders, and talented artists who contribute
[18:50] to the vitality and character of our region, and whereas the diverse cultures and rich
[18:55] histories of the Hispanic community have continually strengthened the American cultural landscape,
[19:00] encouraging greater understanding, curiosity, and appreciation across all generations,
[19:05] and whereas the town of Windsor is proud of the growing diversity of our community and
[19:09] encourage us all residents to celebrate the valuable contributions Hispanic
[19:13] Americans have made to the growth prosperity and well-being of our region and
[19:17] to learn more about the rich cultures and traditions that define this
[19:20] heritage. Now therefore be at resolve that the town council of the town of Windsor
[19:24] in deep appreciation of the vibrant Hispanic population within our community
[19:28] hereby officially proclaims September 15th through October 15th 2026
[19:33] as Hispanic Heritage Month.
[19:36] And now it's my honor to do the best I can
[19:40] and read it as in Spanish.
[19:42] Proclamation del Consejo del Pueblo de Windsor
[19:45] por la que se declara del 15 de septiembre,
[19:48] al 15 de octubre del 2026,
[19:51] como mes de la Jerencia Hispana,
[19:54] considerando que el mes de la Jerencia Hispana
[19:56] se selvebra del 15 de septiembre, al 15 de octubre.
[20:00] Disparaciones de los ispanoméricanos, quienes han enriquecido la historia de nuestra nación
[20:08] inspirado a generaciones, y considerando que esta celebración tiene sus raíces en 1978,
[20:16] cuando el Congreso de los Estados Unidos alteró la proclamación de la Semana de Ejerencia,
[20:34] que se celebra anualmente del quince de septiembre al quince de octubre,
[20:39] considerando que la comunidad Hispana forma parte integral de nuestra ciudad
[20:44] y estar representante por inúmeres empresas,
[20:48] señores educadores dedicados a la comunidad Hispana,
[20:51] profesionales de salud, cuidadores, compasivos, líderes cívicos y talentos artistas que
[20:59] controlan a la vitalidad y carácter de nuestra región. Considerarando que la diversas
[21:07] culturas y la rica historia de la comunidad Hispana hay fortalezado continuamente al panorama
[21:15] cultural, es, o es, o es, o es, o es, o es, o es, o es, o es, o es.
[21:21] Estados Unidos.
[21:23] Formentado.
[21:24] Un mayor entendimiento, que uracidad y
[21:27] apreción de entrató a las generaciones y
[21:30] considerando que el pueblo de Windsor se
[21:33] engoruse de creciente diversidad de nuestra
[21:37] comunidad y se anima a todas las
[21:39] residentes a celebrar las valiosas
[21:42] contrivaciones que los ispanos americanos hayne hecho al crecimiento la prosperidad y el bienestar de nuestra
[21:49] región. Así como aprender más sobre las ricas culturas, tradiciones y historias que conforman la
[21:57] gerencia a hispana. Por lo tanto, se resuelve que la siguiente que el consejo del pueblo de Windsor
[22:03] reconocimiento a la importancia, las conturbaciones y al legado de la comunidad
[22:11] Hispana, proclama oficialmente el periodo del 15 de diciembre, el 15 de octubre,
[22:18] de 2026, como el mes de Gerencia, Hispana.
[22:22] Y quiero introducir la títica de Cali Calmeca, Pedro de Luna,
[22:27] para aceptar esta proclamación en nuestra parte.
[22:49] Good evening, little nervous because it's the first time here,
[22:52] but I'm very proud to be here.
[22:54] It's a very big honor.
[22:56] I feel like I'm representing a lot of people
[22:58] and just a short who am I?
[23:01] The son of an immigrant who came to this country
[23:03] and just didn't have anything started out with the family business.
[23:06] And the same year he lost his job
[23:11] and home, I was a high school drawback.
[23:14] solves. Su vida. Es
[23:15] una buena bouca en la cooled.
[23:19] BuenNY.
[23:20] Yo con un gran ajo.
[23:21] En Wenzher, y ahora estamos
[23:23] hablando de que crookedes
[23:24] dobro de la cara de la mano del
[23:27] Nín.
[23:27] De que scored dos y dos y
[23:30] que nos dejamos de haber
[23:32] vuelto esta encargado y
[23:34] En el dinero y hacer todo el
[23:41] dinero.
[23:41] Tal vez en un restaurador,
[23:41] mi brother, They motivated me to go back to school, started the JC and study
[23:45] and I'm proud to say I joined them, all nine of us, we all graduated from a university
[23:51] and I'm proud to be part of that group.
[23:56] After graduating, I had the opportunity to be
[23:58] a teacher, anywhere I wanted, I was like okay, I'm a male teacher, I'm a 2% or I can go anywhere I want
[24:04] but I chose Windsor because if Gallicameca, it was a school where I taught about culture,
[24:09] My Culture, my parents culture and I love it.
[24:13] I've been there for 26 years working, teaching, enjoying and I have the honor of being selected
[24:20] Pressd19.com Democrats teacher of SBNO for 2026.
[24:24] It was a major honor, and I bring that to you, but when they look us up and they're looking,
[24:31] ¿Qué es el mejor teacher?
[24:32] Es que voy a decir, Winsor.
[24:34] Y vamos a tener ese edad.
[24:35] Eso es raro.
[24:36] Es para el hogar.
[24:38] Y yo no puedo llegar a ese edad,
[24:40] sino que el gran teacher de Acálica Meca,
[24:42] que hemos trabajado desde el beginning de Joe Cooper,
[24:45] que era mi primer teacher,
[24:46] ahora estoy trabajando con los grados de Amanda Horsburg.
[24:50] Y gran literatura.
[24:52] Mi bosque es encima de ahí.
[24:54] Mi dos bosques es encima de ahí.
[24:55] ¡Woohoo!
[24:56] Mi tercero.
[24:56] Mi tercero es otro.
[24:57] pero es un gran...
[25:00] There's all there, too. But there's great leadership, just great people I love working for, and I love working for this town. I love working for these people that are just great and have the same passion. Same passion as I do.
[25:14] I just come representing the son of an immigrant. And I want to thank you. And we, we make it. We make it. And now, after that, we continue to live town, this beautiful town. We buy our homes here. We live here. We celebrate here. Thank you so much. Before small little events at the church,
[25:31] or at the Wentajam, we would have these little small Latino events and now the
[25:36] town of Windsor has done such a wonderful job with so much Windsor and holding
[25:40] these big events where people from out of Windsor come here to party and have a
[25:44] good time and be respectful and enjoy the language and enjoy the town. I invite you
[25:50] all this Saturday. We will have a celebration and they have a little award for me
[25:55] but I'm gonna be doing the same thing. I'm doing here representing the
[25:58] sense of immigrants that make it and today I'm also proud to say my own daughter graduated
[26:03] from San Francisco State so the tradition continues, the tradition continues.
[26:10] Just thank you.
[26:12] Thank you, Windsor, for doing this celebration and honoring this group of individuals who
[26:17] come here and just we really try to work hard and represent ourselves well.
[26:21] We live in two worlds and two cultures and with that all we can say is gracias, much
[26:27] just gracias. Thank you so much and let's party Saturday. Yeah. Can we take your picture?
[26:32] Can we take your picture?
[26:40] You're going to, you're going to, you're going to, you say we'll
[26:42] put one. Hi
[26:47] everyone. Thank you.
[26:53] Thank you very much.
[27:03] Okay,
[27:06] our next item 7.4 housing land trust of the North Bay Inclusionary Home Ownership Update.
[27:12] Hello,
[27:23] everyone. My name is Caitlin Garfield. I serve as the housing director for housing land trust of the North Bay.
[27:30] Thank you to Mayor Renosa, Town Council, and staff for having me here tonight.
[27:36] And I'm here to, first of all, express our thanks to the town for your partnership
[27:42] on creating affordable home ownership opportunities for our local workforce, and then also to highlight
[27:48] some of those accomplishments that have just occurred.
[27:57] Sorry to mind you, thank you.
[28:00] So housing land trust is a nonprofit established in 2002, and our mission is to create
[28:06] and steward affordable home ownership across the Northern Bay area.
[28:11] There are currently 161 permanently affordable homes in the program,
[28:15] and these homes have served 201 families so far.
[28:20] We currently have three homes in Windsor with more under construction,
[28:24] and there are also 75 homes in the pipeline across Sonoma and Napa valleys.
[28:30] Thank you, Kim.
[28:33] So the way that our program works is that it is all about the paycheck.
[28:37] The price of the homes are tied to the incomes of the community.
[28:42] So the price of the home, that the home owner purchases is affordable to that home owner.
[28:48] The land underneath the home is then entered into the land trust.
[28:53] And then that home owner agrees to lease that land from the land trust with the stipulation
[29:00] that that home remains affordable in perpetuity to that same income level.
[29:07] To do this, we partner with the town and developers. The town sets housing policies to benefit
[29:14] its constituents, the developers build the homes, and housing land trust qualifies the eligible buyers,
[29:22] ensures the town's policies are being met, educates and stewards those homeowners throughout the process,
[29:28] secures the legal and financing mechanisms to put the steel in place, and then
[29:34] protects the unit and stewards that homeowner and perpetuity.
[29:40] And the
[29:41] policy used to create these types of homes is called the Towns Inclusionary
[30:00] That's a side apportion of homes to be sold at the below market rate price, and then increase
[30:05] the number of affordable units in the community. Housing land trust then stewards these units,
[30:11] and keeps them affordable in perpetuity. And so these are some of the recent projects
[30:18] that we have created with the town, and I want to give a big thanks to Planner Kimboe and
[30:23] her team for, you know, doing all the work on this. This is Old Redwood Village, and
[30:29] this is going to include three units serving moderate income households. These homes were
[30:35] built by writer homes, and the families just recently moved in in this summer of 2026.
[30:42] This was also a really special project for us, because we celebrated our 200th family served.
[30:47] And then an upcoming project is hummingbird.
[30:53] This will have two units serving moderate income households.
[30:57] These homes are being built by Christopherson builders, and they are currently under construction
[31:02] expected either next year or 2028.
[31:07] And each of these homes remains affordable in perpetuity, which means that one home can
[31:13] serve homeowner after homeowner.
[31:15] And so therefore we are able to really maximize the impact that one home can have for the
[31:20] community and also ensure that this benefit that is created extends to homeowners both present
[31:26] and future.
[31:29] And for example, a home that was created through the program back in 2005
[31:34] as now on its fifth homeowner and each time that home has been sold it has remained
[31:39] as affordable to every subsequent homeowner as it did to that initial homeowner.
[31:45] So what we are accomplishing is partnering to steward a finite resource that serves as a permanent subsidy to individual families for generation after generation, making home ownership a reality for the workforce in our community, delivering that stewardship to families and that support to ensure that they are being successful homeowners creating community wealth by preserving the land that will then benefit the community in perpetuity.
[32:15] and strengthening the fabric of our community
[32:18] by providing our workforce a secure place to live.
[32:22] Thank you again for your partnership
[32:24] and I of course welcome any questions
[32:26] or comments from the council.
[32:28] Thank you very much.
[32:29] Can you tell us real quickly if people are interested
[32:32] in applying what's the process?
[32:34] Absolutely. Thank you, Mayor Renosa.
[32:36] So if anyone is interested in applying for the program,
[32:38] they can go to our website,
[32:40] which is housinglandtrust.org.
[32:42] on there, there is a quick three-page application.
[32:46] All you have to do is send it in with two recent pay stubs,
[32:49] and then submit it.
[32:51] We will see if you're a match to any homes
[32:52] we currently have available,
[32:54] or we'll also keep you in mind
[32:56] for any homes that are coming up through the program.
[32:59] So for example, those two homes upcoming in Windsor,
[33:03] we can accept applications right now
[33:05] and start looking at applications at this time.
[33:07] Yes, thank you.
[33:08] And question.
[33:09] Thank you so much for the presentation.
[33:11] You should have a quick question on how this works.
[33:13] So if a family purchases the home,
[33:15] they stay there and they pay their mortgage.
[33:16] And then when they sell the home then and take the equity,
[33:20] but the home still stays in the same price range
[33:23] that it was initially.
[33:24] Great question, thank you.
[33:26] So yes, that is exactly right.
[33:28] The homeowners are able to build equity
[33:31] and in one way by both paying down their mortgage each month.
[33:35] So they are reducing their debt
[33:37] that they have taken out for the mortgage.
[33:38] And then they all are also able to make some appreciation on the home instead of being tied to the general market forces.
[33:46] Every home in our program is instead tied to income levels.
[33:50] So for example, if from the time that a homeowner purchases the home to when they sell it incomes go up 20%,
[33:55] they could sell their home for 20% more, which is a good balance of being able to create that equity for the homeowner,
[34:02] which often these homeowners use as a stepping stone to market rate homeownership,
[34:08] or also just being able to keep it affordable as well.
[34:13] So we're able to balance both of those aspects, both the individual equity building,
[34:18] wealth building component, as well as that community benefit of making sure that this home
[34:23] stays affordable and perpetuity.
[34:25] Any other questions?
[34:27] Okay, thank you so much.
[34:29] Thank you all.
[34:29] All right.
[34:35] And now we're moving on to our upcoming town events. Councilmember Leap, can you
[34:41] begin with the first one?
[34:45] Certainly. The first announcement is the Native Plant
[34:48] Seed Propagation. This is on Saturday, September 19, which is upcoming from 10.30 a.m. to 12
[34:55] at the Windsor Regional Library.
[34:58] In this workshop,
[35:00] Starting at 4 o'clock, going to late 30 at the town green, we're going to have an event called El Grito, the Windsor, and celebrate the Hispanic Heritage Month. I hope to see you guys out there. All right. We have the 40th annual Russian River watershed cleanup, which is what our presentation was part of. And so Saturday, September 19th from 8 to 10 a.m. hosted by the town of Windsor and the Russian River Keeper. Please register to volunteer by September 15th. It sounds like we can still
[35:29] Register at russianriverkeeper.org ord slash events and also we have Creek Week Guided Birdwalk.
[35:38] Thursday, September 24th, from 4 to 6 p.m. the walk starts and ends at the Windsor Senior Recreation
[35:43] Center. It's hosted by the town of Windsor Stormwater Quality Program and bird experts miles and
[35:50] Teresa Tuffley. Space is limited. Please register in advance at tinyurl.com.
[35:56] forward slash Windsor Birdwalk. Any questions please call 707-838-539-0 or email at
[36:05] stormwater at townofwinsor.ca.gov. Again another reminder the Windsor
[36:11] Day Parade this Saturday of no the 26th of September. The parade theme is
[36:17] fly me to the moon and the parade begins at 10 a.m. Entries were already due but
[36:24] But if you have questions about details, you can visit koaniswinser.org.
[36:32] We have a community town hall.
[36:34] Understanding measure I is on Wednesday, September 30th at 6 p.m. and we're at the gym.
[36:40] Can join us for a community meeting and question and answer session, discuss measure I and
[36:45] what it could mean for Windsor's future.
[36:47] And you can have more information at townofwinser.ca.gov slash sales tax.
[36:52] and then we still have our farmer's markets every Sunday through December 6th, 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on
[36:59] town green right here on Market Street. Thank you everybody. And then now town manager,
[37:06] do you have anything to report off? Thank you Mayor Renosa, John Davis town manager, a couple
[37:10] items tonight. First off we had a great meeting here last night. The town hosted a neighborhood
[37:15] meeting to discuss the Windsor Creek multi-family housing project and its pre-application form.
[37:22] The meeting was well attended, I would say there's 70 people standing remotely filled the chambers and just to discuss the proposed project with the development team and they were here really to listen and take comments from the public at the meeting Gallagher community housing presented a redesign of the project which right off the bat has significantly fewer units of mixed town homes and apartments reduction in the height of the buildings and so that will be available for people to see that that haven't seen it yet.
[37:51] So, the town maintains an information page on this project on the town website.
[37:57] Community members can request to be added to the interested parties list for updates
[38:01] on the project and any public review process as it moves forward.
[38:05] Secondly, I'd like to announce that we're happy and excited that we've started with Will
[38:10] Dan Company, who is our new code enforcement team.
[38:14] They are on, hit the streets this week, started with us last week, got out as early as Monday,
[38:20] tackling the list of backlogged code enforcement items and complaints, they'll be starting with the health and safety realm first, but they will be working their way to all the complaints on the list.
[38:30] So residents that have filed a complaint and hopefully we have communicated to you that we've been waiting for our new company to start, but they are starting and things will be happening here shortly.
[38:43] Councilmember Lee reported to me some good news yesterday as he's our SCTCA board representative.
[38:49] He was at the board meeting and the funding recommendations were approved for the $5 million
[38:55] that we were up for in this cycle for the underpass and street projects.
[39:00] So I want to thank Public Works and Carl, you've read in Alejandro Perez for all their work
[39:05] on that.
[39:06] They stay on top of those grants to give everything submitted on time.
[39:09] It's a lengthy process.
[39:10] and so we're happy and thankful to SCTA for your marking those funds for us.
[39:17] Staff did hold a pre-storm kickoff meeting as we've heard this is the Super El Nino or what they're calling it this week.
[40:00] Extra sandbags this year, updating all our maps and our emergency reporting process. So all those things that go into the storm season, but this year we're going to do that even more robustly. And that way, if it does develop the way they're saying, then we'll be prepared. And if it doesn't, then we'll be prepared anyway. So I'm happy about that. And just on a nice note, we did get confirmation in a nice picture this week from the staff who went by to check that at the Veterans Village.
[40:29] They did finish the new bus stop awning and so right before the rains here and we get into the wet season there's a nice new bench and bus stop cover there for the veterans to take shelter and when they wait for the bus. That concludes my report. Thank you.
[40:45] Thank you very much. Now I'd like to ask any council members if there's any conflict of interest to declare for tonight.
[40:52] Okay, seeing none, I'm going to go ahead and open it up now to the public.
[40:56] Members of the public wishing to speak to the council on any consent calendar item,
[41:02] or any item not listed of the agenda, may do so at this time.
[41:06] Pursuant to the Brown Act, the council, is not allowed to consider any issues
[41:11] or take action on any items, not listed in the agenda during this period,
[41:16] which is one of the reasons why we ask if you want to say your name.
[41:20] you may do so. That's an easy way for us to reach out to you to respond to your comment
[41:25] they're going to make, but that's optional. You do have three minutes to speak. Anyone
[41:30] who wishes to submit anything in writing can do so to this following email, which we
[41:36] all receive up here, town council at townofwinsor.ca.gov. So anyone wishing to speak may approach
[41:43] the podium and we do have a new timer up here to my right.
[42:01] My name is Emil Imman, some of you may know me. I've come here today to voice my
[42:07] display and also quite frankly discussed with our renewal of the fog cameras. I
[42:12] understand that on a service level that this may seem like a good thing, you know,
[42:16] I listened to Greg Puccini's full statement that he did where it helped solve, you
[42:22] You know, 12 crimes, two of them, he said, in less than 24 hours.
[42:27] But we need to understand what that is costing us, is costing us our privacy.
[42:32] At what point does this compromise our fourth amendment rights?
[42:37] You know, it's, you know, it claims that there's no tracking yet.
[42:40] The Windsor Police Department gets alerts about it.
[42:42] What stops them from creating some sort of travel patterns?
[42:49] AI hasn't been fully, we don't know the full capabilities of AI, it's learning, it's
[42:56] an artificial intelligence, you know, you say that there is no facial recognition, yet
[43:01] you can give AI the flock cameras a description of a vehicle as in make model color and it
[43:06] can give you, it's based off of a visual representation, not just the letters of license plate.
[43:12] So, what's to stop it from learning and progressing to learn how to do facial recognition?
[43:19] You also said too that it's the same price as non-AI surveillance cameras, so why not
[43:25] bring those back?
[43:27] You know, it's, if an NVU haven't heard of a hugging face, I fully suggest that you look
[43:33] it up because since this hugging face incidence has happened to AI CEOs, Sam Altman as well
[43:40] is I can't remember the pronounces the last name, AMODI, has called for US labs to slow
[43:45] their pace on its advancement because it's growing too fast. Two AI researchers also won
[43:51] with the company Anthropic and another one with the AI Safety Research at Google has quit and
[43:59] raised concerns due to AI. Again, I'm all for the protection of our town or people, but AI is not
[44:07] the way to do it. If the police department needs more assistance than then help them find
[44:12] other ways to do it but not through AI. And also I would like to speak about us
[44:18] eating ice agents. I understand that there are restrictions to involvement with eating ice.
[44:23] You may shake your head all you like. You may, you know, that's your choice. You may have
[44:28] wasted pleasure. I know that your husband works with the police department. I'm sure you have a lot of
[44:31] inside information about it, you know, they said that, you know, with a research on the ice,
[44:38] you know, they need a judicial warrant. Ice doesn't need a judicial warrant to get people.
[44:43] The ice isn't following the rules that people should be. There are killing people. They're
[44:48] raping people. This isn't, if you've read a history book, you should be able to see the comparisons
[45:00] Not a light statement to make. Read a history book. Please stop it before it's too late. You have the opportunity to do so. Please wrap up. Thank you very
[45:10] time. Thank you. Anyone else from the public?
[45:17] Seeing none, I'm going to, okay, I didn't see
[45:22] anyone lining up behind the podium, so.
[45:26] Hi, my name is Theresa Hendricks and I live in Councilman
[45:31] Sam's district and I'm with the Citizens Committee for Yes on Measure I. It stays in Windsor
[45:38] And I just wanted to come, give you an update and a little appeal.
[45:45] We are going to be marching in the Windsor Day parade.
[45:51] And I have watched my grandkids in the parade, but I have never been in the parade.
[45:56] So supporters of Measure I are going to be marching and we need some people to join us.
[46:02] So, if anyone really wants to be in a parade and supports measure eye, come on over, join
[46:10] us at the parade and we'll have a bunch of fun.
[46:12] You can email us at Windsor is worth it at gmail.com.
[46:20] You can also check out our website is Yes On I for Windsor.org, and the 4-FOR is not
[46:36] a numeral, and we would love to see you out there.
[46:41] We have three Zumba instructors and some Zumba dancers, so we know there will be some music
[46:48] And we know there will be a little bit of dance involved, but we need people to just walk.
[46:54] You don't have to dance. You can just walk with us.
[46:59] And so we hope to see you out there. We are out there working. We are a citizen's group. We are your neighbors.
[47:07] And so we would love to talk to you about the parade and about anything else you want to know about Missouri.
[47:14] So thank you very much.
[47:16] Good
[47:24] evening, Mary Ann Bainbridge-Crowse, and I'm pleased to say I'm also going to be walking
[47:29] in the parade with the Senior Center.
[47:32] I'm a Commissioner, and I will be carrying the banner, so I'm looking forward to that.
[47:36] Second or third year doing that, but that's not why I'm here tonight.
[47:41] I'm a concerned Windsor Citizen, and I hope you are too.
[47:45] And as we have been out and about talking to the community, delivering our yard signs,
[47:50] which I think we delivered about 15 or 20 this week, the main question we're getting
[47:56] from residents is why this measure has no sunset date.
[48:01] So I would like to read this to you.
[48:05] The measure states, quote, the tax shall be in effect until ended by the voters, unquote.
[48:12] What does quote ended and until ended by the voters mean?
[48:16] It means that the tax would continue indefinitely unless voters took action to end it.
[48:23] Members of the public would have to spend significant time, effort, and money collecting
[48:28] enough signatures to place a repeal measure on the ballot, and then organize and win a
[48:34] political campaign to convince wins or voters to end the tax.
[48:39] Because the Council has no strategy for solving the underlying problems that have resulted
[48:44] it in the structural deficit. The only thing that's certain is that within a few years,
[48:50] the town will need to even need even more sales tax revenue than measure I would bring
[48:56] in. And that is best example I can give you that is the city of Santa Rosa has another
[49:01] ballot measure on another measure on the ballot helping their sales tax again. Passing measure
[49:09] I, without an end date, would only encourage the council to put off addressing the issues
[49:15] that led to the deficit in the first place.
[49:18] If anyone wants more information, you can go to Windsor Concerned Citizens, capital A,
[49:24] capital C, capital A, dot org, and our yard signs are available.
[49:30] Thank you.
[49:39] Hi.
[49:40] My name is Annie Lovie, and I'm on record with written requests to the Windsor PD past and
[49:47] current Windsor Police Chiefs and the Sonoma County Sheriff beginning in 2022
[49:55] concerning my referral to the Condi Lane International's
[50:00] EAD and noiseway. I represent the Windsor-Mobile Country Club senior citizen park. We are located
[50:08] between Oakfield Lane on the north and Mitchell Road on the south of Condi Lane. Our community
[50:14] is home to 336 senior residents who depend on safe access and egress from their homes 24
[50:23] hours a day. Effective April 26, 2026, the postage speed was reduced from 40 miles per
[50:32] hour to 35 miles per hour from Mitchell to Oakfield with the placement of 435 mile per
[50:39] hour signs on that stretch of Condi. The good news is we won that battle. The bad news
[50:45] is that it's had virtually no effect on those who continue to ignore the posting.
[50:51] I am one of 14 residents whose homes are 20 feet from the pavement backing up to
[50:59] Conde and consistently subjected to the noise and the speed that jolts our
[51:06] homes day in and day out on the straightaway. Visible burn tire marks regularly
[51:15] totally showcase the race track events that go on there.
[51:19] So Windsor Mobile Country Club respectfully insists that the $82,000 grant from the California
[51:30] Safety Department includes all written requests from Windsor Mobile Country Club Senior Park
[51:37] that include but are not limited to the purchase of digital radar signs and other noise reduction
[51:45] technology. Thank you.
[51:56] My name is Deborah Doyle, great to see you all this evening and what a
[52:02] wonderful meeting has been. We've listened to all kinds of people who have found family, strong
[52:09] family lives here in Windsor and they have
[52:15] careers, they have families with them, they love this
[52:20] town in a way that in a way that I think it's unusual. Originally, my family came from a tiny,
[52:28] tiny little town in Nebraska, and it had that sort of sense. I mean, it was a thousand people,
[52:34] and Windsor's a little bigger than that, but it still has that same we want to get to know you,
[52:40] we want to welcome you to this community. And I think one of the things that Measure I does is it
[52:46] looks forward to making sure that Windsor
[52:50] is that kind of town in the future.
[52:54] And so I urge everybody to make sure
[52:56] that you go to the town hall, make sure you listen,
[52:59] be part of the conversations,
[53:01] and there have been conversations
[53:03] about an additional tiny, tiny tax for this town
[53:05] for a very long time.
[53:07] So this is the opportunity for us to really look
[53:10] to the future because federal dollars
[53:12] are not going to be very available.
[53:14] state dollars are not going to be very available.
[53:17] And so one of the things that Windsor is very well known for is pulling its socks up
[53:22] and creating solutions in this town itself.
[53:27] And I urge you to take a look at the town's educational piece about Measure I.
[53:32] It's got all the information that you need.
[53:35] Our yes on Measure I, as you've heard, we're marching in the parade, but we also have a website.
[53:40] We also have a Facebook page and that sort of thing.
[53:43] We've got lawn signs coming out so please let us know that you want them, but truly think
[53:48] about the future of this town, that's what Measure I is about and things are not going
[53:54] to get cheaper, things are going to get more expensive and so the storms are coming also.
[54:01] I think it's not going to be inexpensive to get this town ready for lots and lots of storms.
[54:08] So, honestly, it is not about thinking about the past,
[54:12] it's not about thinking about mistakes in the past,
[54:14] although certainly the town council, I think,
[54:16] and the staff has been very good about explaining
[54:20] what they need the money for, what possible future needs
[54:23] there are.
[54:24] So, I would urge you to come to the town hall and take a look at that.
[54:27] And in the meantime, those of you who do see the possibilities
[54:30] of the future come get our signs.
[54:33] We're also on social media.
[54:36] And again, our website is YesOnI for Windsor.org.
[54:40] Thanks very much.
[54:42] Anyone else from the public?
[54:44] I'd ask you to leave the line-ups.
[54:47] There's more than one person.
[54:54] Hi, Betsy Mouse, Wayne Tree Circle.
[54:57] I had the radio on as I was coming over.
[55:00] This California, the richest state, but it is also the second poorest state, only to Louisiana. Most of that was due to the housing, but they said what really pushed the amount of four people in California were the daily costs, the costs that they needed to live every day. We know about the housing in California, but that was the piece that really put us into the second worst place.
[55:29] And that's a hard place to be, where they're the richest state and yet close to being the poorest state.
[55:38] So we have people in our state at all ends of the spectrum.
[55:45] Sometimes a little teeny tax is enough for someone not to be able to afford something they need.
[55:53] We know that a tax is regressive, a sales tax hurts the people who at least need to be hurt the most.
[56:05] I spoke to a group of people yesterday and listened to a lot of what they had to say.
[56:12] And they questioned why this didn't have a sunset.
[56:17] Why this tax measure eye is puts the onus onto the voters to make it go away.
[56:24] The town has said that they've always been good stewards with our money and I think they
[56:30] have.
[56:31] The last seven years they've talked about seeing structural deficits.
[56:36] It's now gotten to a critical point.
[56:43] So it shouldn't take until the voters decide to correct the deficit.
[56:49] It should be correctable in a finite period of time.
[56:54] Whether that would be 10 years or 20 years, the ask should be, you help us out and we're
[57:03] going to do our jobs.
[57:05] And what was mentioned to me was that is not the ask.
[57:09] There is no sunset to this tax and it really will hurt the very people who need it the least.
[57:18] So thank you.
[57:19] Please consider my thoughts.
[57:24] All right, seeing no one lined up at the podium, I'm going to close public comment.
[57:28] I'm going to now begin our consent calendar items.
[57:31] We have 12.1, the approval of minutes from September 2nd, 12.2, ratified check register,
[57:36] number 647, 12.3, Office of Traffic Safety, Law Enforcement Grant, 12.4, Biannial Review,
[57:44] Revision of Town Conflict of Interest Codes, 12.5, Old Rated Highway Payment Preservation
[57:48] project from Lakewood Drive to Panna Dobie Corp budget amendment and 12.6 authorize an increase
[57:54] to the major construction agreement with M3 Integration Service for the Cunningham House Rehabilitation
[58:00] Project. Do I have a motion or are there any comments? I'll make a motion to approve the
[58:06] consent calendar and then I do have a comment. Okay. Okay. Go ahead with your comment.
[58:13] And just a comment on 12.6 that that amount was funded in full by the Windsor Historical
[58:19] Society's that price did not come from the town.
[58:22] Okay.
[58:23] Thank you.
[58:24] Can I have a roll call vote please?
[58:26] Vice Mayor Potter.
[58:28] Aye.
[58:29] Council Member Leap.
[58:30] Aye.
[58:31] Council Member Wall.
[58:32] Yes.
[58:32] Council Member Salmon.
[58:34] Aye.
[58:34] And Mayor Renosa.
[58:35] Aye.
[58:36] Thank you.
[58:36] Thank you.
[58:37] Now moving on to our public hearing.
[58:39] 13.1.
[58:40] the 2026 Multiple Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan?
[58:47] Okay, good evening mayor and council members. I'm Kim Jordan. I'm a planner in the community development
[58:53] department and this evening we'll talk about Sonoma County Multi Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation
[58:59] Plan and Windsor's Annex to that plan.
[59:04] So specifically we'll be talking about, we'll do a plan overview,
[59:08] we'll talk about Windsor's Annex, we'll talk about the public outreach and public comment, the
[59:12] environmental review that's required for the plan and the next steps.
[59:19] So this Sonoma County Multigurge Stictional Hazard Mitigation Plan provides an overview
[59:25] of the impacts of natural hazards that communities face and in the assets.
[59:31] Assets include people, structures, systems, resources, which include natural, historic, and cultural
[1:00:00] What are identified? And it makes the town eligible for grant funding. The plans comprised
[1:00:05] of two volumes, both are actually available in English and Spanish on the town's website
[1:00:11] and on Permit Sonoma's website. The first volume, volume 1, is called the basic plan.
[1:00:17] It is county-wide. Volume 2 is comprised of the hazard mitigation plan itself that's specific
[1:00:26] to each jurisdiction that participates in the multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan.
[1:00:32] Those individual plans are called annexes.
[1:00:38] And so volume one, the county-wide basic plan
[1:00:41] includes the plan a discussion of the planning process, a description of the county profile,
[1:00:47] which a demographic assessment for each of the hazards that face the county as a whole,
[1:00:54] which are dam failure, drought, earthquake, extreme cold, extreme heat, extreme wind, flooding,
[1:01:01] landslide, sea level rise, tsunami, and wildfire. Some of those, as you can tell, don't
[1:01:07] specifically affect Windsor. It has a capability assessment, mitigation strategy, and there's
[1:01:12] a plan maintenance strategy.
[1:01:16] Volume 2 is comprised of the annexes for all of the jurisdictions
[1:01:20] that participate in the multigerstictional and hazard mitigation plan.
[1:01:25] It describes all the members of the hazard mitigation planning team,
[1:01:31] the community profile demographic specific to that agency,
[1:01:36] the public engagement that was done by that particular jurisdiction,
[1:01:40] the stakeholders for that jurisdiction, the changes in priorities for a given community.
[1:01:48] It reviews the capability assessments and how your capabilities are integrated into your plan,
[1:01:56] national flood insurance program compliance, the growth and development trends for your community,
[1:02:02] jurisdictional risk assessments, so those are the risks that are specific to your jurisdiction and
[1:02:07] what the risk levels are, and then the mitigation strategy and prioritization for your specific community.
[1:02:13] So
[1:02:17] currently our current plan is the 2021 multigerestictional hazard mitigation plan.
[1:02:24] The plan that we'll be asking council to adopt tonight is the 2026 multigerestictional
[1:02:29] hazard mitigation plan and there are some changes between the two plans.
[1:02:34] One is in the 2021 plan.
[1:02:36] We had something called extreme weather that has been changed to focus on extreme wind.
[1:02:42] The second change is that extreme heat and extreme cold were added to the plan to
[1:02:49] address the fluctuations that were seeing in heat and cold.
[1:02:54] It also will align the hazard mitigation plan with an assembly bill that is going to
[1:03:02] require the town to incorporate those hazards into our public health and safety element by
[1:03:07] 2028. And this increased the hazards for Windsor to nine hazards from seven. So we'll have nine
[1:03:14] hazards that we're addressing in the 2026 plan. We had seven in the previous plan.
[1:03:19] And then rankings for certain hazards change from the 2026 plan compared to the 2021 plan.
[1:03:28] One of those specifically is dam failure was high in the 2021 plan due to the Warm Springs Dam was
[1:03:36] it had that fail that would have been a significant hazard to Windsor due to
[1:03:42] remapping of the dam failure by the Army Corps of Engineers that hazard is now
[1:03:46] low. In the 2021 plan and there were 14 participating jurisdictions in this
[1:03:53] plan there are all there are 22 participating jurisdictions including all nine
[1:03:58] cities and the county of Sonoma.
[1:04:03] So to specifically talk about Windsor's Annex
[1:04:07] The Windsor-specific vulnerabilities are damn failure, earthquake, flooding,
[1:04:16] geologic hazards, and then landslide, and then wildfire.
[1:04:21] So wildfires, the hazard severity zones.
[1:04:24] The plan includes a map of the hazards, which are shown here.
[1:04:29] This is showing the location of dam and indation from damn failure.
[1:04:34] and also our flood zones are 1% and 5% flood hazard areas.
[1:04:42] And this is the mapped hazard from Windsor's ANX,
[1:04:47] that show the location of the soils that create higher earthquake hazards for Windsor,
[1:04:53] and then also our wildfire severity zones for moderate and high.
[1:05:00] I'm here to 2021, so this is an order of ranking earthquake was high for Windsor and then dry out extreme hold, extreme heat and extreme wind and wildfire are all medium in the 2026 plan and then damn failure flood and landslide are all low.
[1:05:21] And then there are a variety of mitigation actions that the town can take. We can address hazards through local plans and regulations, structured and infrastructure.
[1:05:32] projects such as draining system upgrades and building
[1:05:35] hardening. We can undertake natural systems protections
[1:05:39] such as creek improvements and we can do education and
[1:05:44] awareness programs such as Windsor's Windsor Ready
[1:05:47] program.
[1:05:50] So just to talk a little bit about mitigation
[1:05:53] actions in the town's current plan which is a 2021 plan
[1:05:57] there were a total of 56 mitigation actions as part of the
[1:06:01] plan update. Windsor's planning team got together, we're required to review all of those mitigation
[1:06:08] actions and identify the status where they completed, have they become an ongoing capability of the
[1:06:14] town, are they in progress or has the town made no progress, and then identify whether or not they
[1:06:21] will move forward into the updated 2026 plan. In the 2026 plan, we have a total of 22 mitigation
[1:06:30] actions. Many of them are a combination of moving them forward in the 2021
[1:06:36] mitigations into the 2026 plan. Some of the reduction is because many of our
[1:06:42] mitigation actions are included in some of the town's plans, such as our
[1:06:47] store motor plan, so instead of identifying certain projects specifically, we
[1:06:51] are simply referred to implementing town plans like our urban water management
[1:06:56] plan. We have a reduction in the number of actions because of that. The mitigation actions are
[1:07:04] also prioritized, so 1 through 26. However, the town is not required to implement them in the order
[1:07:13] of priority. No need, no, is the town required to complete all of the mitigation actions. The town
[1:07:20] could also identify a mitigation action that is not included in the plan and choose to implement
[1:07:26] that mitigation action.
[1:07:30] So just to go through the top three actions that were identified in order of
[1:07:36] priority. One is to do public outreach about for emergency preparedness, about dam failure.
[1:07:44] That would be incorporated into our Windsor Ready plan that we already have.
[1:07:50] And the second would be to identify our warming and cooling centers just to make them available
[1:07:58] during extreme hot and cold events and then inform the public of their availability.
[1:08:04] And the third is to provide public information about wildfire, so to develop educational materials
[1:08:12] about building hardening, fire safe landscaping and fencing materials and then make them available
[1:08:19] to the public.
[1:08:23] And the draft hazard mitigation plan was available last year for public review.
[1:08:28] We did a presentation during the one month review period, which was from October to November 2025 including at town council.
[1:08:37] That draw plan was sent to Cal OES.
[1:08:40] Comments received during that period were included in the plan that went to Cal OES.
[1:08:45] Cal OES approved the plan that went to FEMA. FEMA has approved the plan. That's a plan you're considering this evening.
[1:08:52] Once it's approved by town council.
[1:08:54] approval that approval will go to back to FEMA.
[1:09:01] And so just to talk, I should have actually talked about the General Plan first.
[1:09:05] The General Plan actually has a policy that talks about our hazard mitigation plan, and
[1:09:10] we're required to continue to maintain a hazard mitigation plan and incorporate it into the
[1:09:16] general plan by reference.
[1:09:18] that makes the town eligible for more grant funding by the state in the event of a declared disaster.
[1:09:27] So if we don't have it integrated into our general plan by for reference,
[1:09:32] the town is not eligible for the possibility of that additional disaster mitigation funding.
[1:09:39] The environmental review for this project, it is exempt from Sequa as a feasibility and planning study and under the common sense exemption.
[1:09:48] because there's no environmental impact that would be associated with the town council adopting a hazard mitigation plan.
[1:09:58] So the next steps.
[1:10:00] The council does adopt the hazard mitigation plan this evening. We submit it to the county of Sonoma. They are the lead agency for this project. They submit it to FEMA. And then once FEMA accepts the resolution from the council, we are responsible for annual review and maintenance of the plan. And then as I as I mentioned, we are able to make modifications annually or more often than that if needed.
[1:10:27] So tonight's recommended action is just to hold the required public hearing and adopt a resolution to adopt the 2026 multi jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan volume one and the Windsor annex included in volume two.
[1:10:44] And that is the resolution title.
[1:10:48] Then I'm available for any questions.
[1:10:51] Thank you very much for that presentation. Is there any questions from the council for staff?
[1:10:57] No, seeing none, I will open it up to the public.
[1:11:01] Anyone in the public wishing to make a comment on this item may approach the podium.
[1:11:13] Seeing none, I'll bring it back to the council.
[1:11:16] And discussion or emotion.
[1:11:21] Great job.
[1:11:23] It's it's it's scary stuff and it's things we don't think about until they're happening.
[1:11:30] And I've been blessed that the last four years, we haven't had any major disaster.
[1:11:38] And I'm, yeah, so hopefully that continues for the next rest of the year.
[1:11:43] But important work and, yeah, so I appreciate everything that is to put into this work.
[1:11:52] Any other motion? Do I hear a motion?
[1:11:54] If you want to put it back on the motion, there we go.
[1:11:57] What's on the left to make the motion?
[1:11:59] I'll make a motion to adopt a resolution.
[1:12:03] Or is this a resolution of the town council
[1:12:05] of the town of Windsor adopting the 2026 multi jurisdictional
[1:12:09] hazard mitigation plan volume one
[1:12:11] and the Windsor annex included in volume two.
[1:12:14] Is there a second?
[1:12:15] I'll second.
[1:12:16] Roll cover, please.
[1:12:18] Vice Mayor Potter.
[1:12:19] Aye.
[1:12:20] Council Member Leap.
[1:12:21] Aye.
[1:12:21] Council Member Salmon.
[1:12:23] Aye.
[1:12:23] Council Member Wall.
[1:12:25] Yes.
[1:12:25] and Mayor Ray knows that.
[1:12:26] Hi.
[1:12:27] Thank you.
[1:12:30] Now we're moving on to item 13.2, the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan update.
[1:13:03] Good evening, President Renoza, Vice President Potter members of the board.
[1:13:09] My name is Christina Goulart, Environmental Program Manager for Water Conservation and Water
[1:13:14] Supply Planning.
[1:13:15] and I have William Nahas here, Deputy Director of, or Nehas, I think, I'm sorry about that,
[1:13:22] William, Director of Deputy Director of Water and Environmental Management, and Shannon Kotula,
[1:13:29] Director of Public Works, he's sitting behind us to answer your questions later, if need be.
[1:13:34] Tonight I'm presenting the results of our updated urban water management plan, as well as presenting
[1:13:40] as summary of our water shortage contingency plan and these plans are required by law to be
[1:13:46] updated every five years.
[1:13:53] Staff's request is for the board to consider adoption of the 2025
[1:13:57] Urban Water Management Plan and to consider adoption of the 2025 water shortage contingency plan.
[1:14:06] And as I said, these are required by state law. This is the California Water Code reference here
[1:14:11] and the purpose of the Urban Water Management Plan is long-term resource planning to ensure adequate water supplies to meet existing and future demands for water.
[1:14:24] We have a new approach this time around and we did five years ago and in previous Urban Water Management plans, which is that for the Windsor Water District Service areas, we are separating them out and we did that for the water supply assessment about a month ago and we were talking to you then.
[1:14:40] So, whereas in the past we put all the water together in a bucket and all the demand together,
[1:14:45] but staff feels that internally it's better and more useful to us to separate these water
[1:14:53] use and demand based on these two allocations so that we can prepare better for the future
[1:14:59] and water demand.
[1:15:00] Order supply allocations, they're both potable water that come from the Russian River underflow.
[1:15:06] In town and in slight areas outside of town, and we have a map to show you, we have 4,725 acre feet for year.
[1:15:15] And that comes from the Russian River Wellfield. We own that wellfield, and we use the Sonoma County Water Agency water rights for that. But we operate those wells.
[1:15:27] And then we have another 900 acre-feet allocation for the outside areas for the airport area.
[1:15:33] We provide that water to those customers under an agreement with the Sonoma County Water
[1:15:38] Agency.
[1:15:40] And we purchase that water and it comes through the aqueduct, and that is not our infrastructure.
[1:15:45] The land use authority for that allocation in town, and then my comment, Shiloh, is the
[1:15:52] town of Windsor with in-town boundaries, but outside of the town boundaries, the land use
[1:15:56] authority is the county of Sonoma. And of course for the outside areas of the airport area,
[1:16:02] the land use authority is county of Sonoma.
[1:16:07] And this is a map I don't think you would have seen
[1:16:10] this before. We separated out the geographic areas that match the two different allocations.
[1:16:17] So the green area is subject to the 4,725 acre feet and that water comes from the Russian
[1:16:25] River Wellfield and the pink areas below that are subject to that 900 acre feet
[1:16:30] and the water comes through the aqueduct. And I just want to make a comment here
[1:16:34] because I just noticed that this the Shiloh myacoma area looks enormous. It's
[1:16:40] almost as big as the town but that's that usage is only 100 acre feet per year
[1:16:44] approximately because it's mostly residential and then there's a park
[1:16:47] bathroom. So
[1:16:53] in the urban water management plan the water demand or water usage or
[1:16:58] water need projection is required to be considered out to a 20-year horizon minimum.
[1:17:04] We are also required to estimate water conservation estimates if we get participation and we
[1:17:09] are required to attempt to get participation.
[1:17:12] We are required to look at population trends, known developments and employment trends as
[1:17:18] well.
[1:17:23] So here is our water demand projection as well as our 2025 actual water use for these two
[1:17:29] separate areas.
[1:17:30] So these are just simple tables, but the top one is for the Russian River Well-Field allocation.
[1:17:36] The 2025 usage was 2,566 acre feet per year.
[1:17:42] And that's based on actual usage from utility billing records.
[1:17:46] And then we have in five year increments, as required by law, these projections going out to 2050,
[1:17:53] based on, again, those things that we were looking at, the demand, the population, et cetera.
[1:17:58] And then below that we have the aqueduct allocation and in 2025 again based on billing records
[1:18:05] we used or 421 acre feet was used that year and then again in five year increments we
[1:18:13] project out to 2050. And this allocation is what you would have seen already in the water supply
[1:18:20] assessment where for the aqueduct area and the outside area where we looked at existing water
[1:18:28] use, baseline water use. We added to that all of the existing pipeline projects. And then we also
[1:18:34] incorporated with a different methodology, but we did incorporate the 2019 airport area specific
[1:18:41] plan, the preferred development plan for the county.
[1:18:51] For water supply reliability, the plan is
[1:18:54] required to address anticipated normal single dry drought year conditions and multiple drought year
[1:19:01] conditions. And it's required that actual historical drought information is used when
[1:19:08] we do these analyses. And actually because we don't provide water as a wholesaler, our
[1:19:15] wholesaler Sonoma County Water Agency did this analysis for us. And they provide this analysis
[1:19:19] to all of the water contractors, not just Windsor. And according to their data and their records,
[1:19:25] In other words, the best representative of an average rain year or water supply year is 1999, the worst single dry drought year was 1977, and then multiple year drought conditions was 1987 through 1991.
[1:20:02] Now this is different from five years ago. So the Sonoma County Water Agency has determined that this time around in 2025 that if we were to apply these conditions to this historical conditions to current supply and demand realities that they would not have any water supply curtailments. Now they said some of that five years ago and we a year later had
[1:20:33] a 20% mandatory water supply curtailment.
[1:20:37] So it's just important to note that we,
[1:20:39] that this is a compliance document, it's a plan,
[1:20:41] it's not an operational document.
[1:20:43] And obviously we have to roll with the punches
[1:20:46] if nature gives us a drought, that's greater than we expect
[1:20:49] than we have to have a curtailment.
[1:20:52] But officially for our compliance,
[1:20:54] this is the analysis that was done
[1:20:55] and this is a result that we were, that we were given.
[1:21:00] And
[1:21:02] so we have these water supply and demand comparisons.
[1:21:05] Again, I've separated out the top table as the Russian River Well-Field allocation
[1:21:10] and below that the aqueduct allocation.
[1:21:13] And as you can see here, this is also very different from five years ago and we'll talk
[1:21:18] a little bit about why that is.
[1:21:20] But we've got our portable water supply and I didn't include the recycle water in this
[1:21:25] table.
[1:21:25] This is just a lot simpler to do it this way.
[1:21:27] So you've got portable water supply across the top, that's the 4725, below that are projected
[1:21:34] water consumption, projections in five-year increments. And then we've got below that the shortfall.
[1:21:41] So we've got a pretty good looking shortfall, much better conditions than we had five years ago.
[1:21:47] And again, we'll talk about that in a sec. But now the picture for the outside areas is different.
[1:21:53] So as you can see here, when you look at the projected demand compared to supply and
[1:21:58] that supply is 900 all the way across, we do see that if the county of Sonoma were to
[1:22:06] get development according to their preferred development plan from 2019 actually, that there
[1:22:12] would be shortfalls in water supply by 2035 unless they develop some additional water supplies
[1:22:20] for that area, and that could be expansion of the recycle water system, which, you know,
[1:22:25] Mr. Cooms has talked about, he's going to help us out, which is great, potentially putting
[1:22:29] in some more wells in that area.
[1:22:31] So there are different options, but that would have to be done if they're going to follow
[1:22:35] through with that preferred plan.
[1:22:40] So here's some different reasons why we had some pretty drastic differences in some of these
[1:22:45] results from just five years ago, and the first is that we had this unexpected population
[1:22:49] We should drop in 2020 and 2021.
[1:22:53] So we had anticipated that there was going to be a continued study increase in population,
[1:22:58] but of course we couldn't have known that the pandemic was going to happen.
[1:23:02] And so we had a lot of people in the town, we dropped by I think 3,000 people within the town,
[1:23:08] and that's pretty consistent with a lot of the retailers.
[1:23:11] And so instead of having this increase in population at DIPT, and that just means we're using
[1:23:15] less water.
[1:23:17] We also had that mandatory 20% reduction during the droughts in 2021 and 2022, and the
[1:23:26] town of Windsor really came through.
[1:23:28] The state requirement was a 20% reduction of diversion from the Russian River, and the
[1:23:34] town actually I think saved 21%, so did more than was required.
[1:23:38] And apparently a lot of those efficiency gains, and this is efficiency not just in the total
[1:23:43] but also per capita efficiency gains have been persistent.
[1:23:48] So these are changes not just in behavior
[1:23:49] but in increased like removing your lawn,
[1:23:53] doing something that like I did,
[1:23:54] I bought a more efficient dishwasher.
[1:23:56] And so when people engage in that kind of efficiency,
[1:23:59] that efficiency stays static for years to come.
[1:24:04] So we haven't had very much of a bounce back
[1:24:06] in water consumption since then.
[1:24:09] And then from the supply side,
[1:24:11] Sonoma County Water Agency has vastly improved their reservoir management.
[1:24:16] They've been using new technology and weather forecasting that's allowed them to keep
[1:24:22] more water in their reservoirs longer.
[1:24:25] And so all those things put together improved our water picture, which is really good news.
[1:24:34] And so our findings are that by 2035, the airport area is projected to face water supply shortages
[1:24:42] under normal single-dryer and multiple-dryer conditions without additional water supply development.
[1:24:51] And I also want to say that there are some slight numerical variations between these numbers.
[1:24:58] I don't know if you noticed them or not.
[1:25:00] We have a different, in the urban water management plan when you compare it to the water supply assessment. That's because we had slightly different methodologies and different requirements for the two different documents. And so we are staff is going to write a memorandum to explain that and will amend that or attach that I mean to the urban water management plan and will upload that to the public. However, it does not change any of the conclusions at all. The conclusions stay the same.
[1:25:27] And I also thought it would be important to state at this point that although we do have a large
[1:25:33] or sort of surplus for the in town areas that we still do need to go ahead and develop
[1:25:40] our off-river well supplies for resilience.
[1:25:44] So knock on wood that we haven't had a huge fire or some other catastrophe, but they do
[1:25:49] happen we need to be prepared for that and we are vulnerable because we only have the one
[1:25:54] water supply.
[1:25:55] All our water comes from the Russian river.
[1:25:57] And so having forbid if we have an earthquake like City of Napa did 15 years ago, they had
[1:26:03] And they had a whole section of town ward.
[1:26:05] They didn't have any water.
[1:26:07] So town staff's findings is that we should still move forward with development if the
[1:26:13] off river well supply.
[1:26:17] And now the water shortage contingency plan.
[1:26:19] We are required by state law to discuss the water shortage contingency plan separately in
[1:26:25] public hearing.
[1:26:25] So that's what we're doing now.
[1:26:27] It's chapter eight of the urban water management plan, but it's sort of its own plan as
[1:26:31] well.
[1:26:31] It's a standalone plan.
[1:26:32] The purpose is to provide a framework for responding to an emergency water shortage.
[1:26:38] So when we have an emergency shortage, this kicks in.
[1:26:42] And this would kick in for drought, earthquake, any reason why we have a shortage.
[1:26:46] And it was last implemented in 2021 and 2022.
[1:26:51] There are six levels of shortage in the plan, and when we implemented it in 2021, we were
[1:26:57] at level two, which is a 20% mandatory reduction.
[1:27:00] And examples of responses are limiting the days of the week where people can irrigate their
[1:27:06] landscape and limits on operation of decorative fountains and that sort of thing.
[1:27:15] There were no significant changes in legal requirements between 2020 and 2025 for this
[1:27:20] water shortage contingency plan and town staff did not make any significant changes.
[1:27:26] So I just listed the four changes that we did make based on the experience that we had during
[1:27:31] last drought. And the first was that we removed the requirement for power washers that recycle water
[1:27:39] because in the moment we did some research and found that they're exorbitantly expensive and we
[1:27:43] didn't want to put that burden on people to have to buy a power washer that was over $10,000.
[1:27:49] We also revised the no filling of swimming pools to say no permitting of swimming pools in
[1:27:55] level three because once the swimming pool is actually constructed if you don't fill it,
[1:27:59] It will crack and it will be damaged and we had members of the public making that request of us.
[1:28:05] We're also allowing bubblers and small fountains for pollinators and other wildlife gardens
[1:28:11] and we also included an exemption for irrigation of food gardens because that's a food security issue and we think people should be able to
[1:28:18] still go their vegetables even in a drought.
[1:28:24] And so our staff recommendation is that the Board adopt by resolution the 2025
[1:28:29] urban water management plan and that the board adopt by resolution the 2025 water
[1:28:35] shortage contingency plan. Great. Thank you very much. Does anyone have a
[1:28:42] question for staff? I do. Please. Since I own a pool. I'm just curious is there
[1:28:52] is there something in there about training part of your pool and filling part of
[1:28:57] the pool? To drain part of it and fill it. No, there isn't. It's just that during certain
[1:29:03] stages, you wouldn't permit anyone. Right. Yeah. Thank you. Anyone else with a question?
[1:29:10] Thank you, Mayor. Thank you for the presentation. I really appreciate this. And I'll give
[1:29:15] them a more comment later. But for the outside area, it's projected that they will not have enough water
[1:29:21] in the future. And so I know water rights are difficult to come by, but for them to be able to,
[1:29:29] so if a new development were to go in that outside airport area, if they were projected to not have
[1:29:35] enough water from our cinema water purchases, they would be able to drill new wells there. And
[1:29:40] is there a water right issue with drilling new wells, or would that be something that they would
[1:29:44] just have to have ordered when they are getting the permitting for their building?
[1:29:50] Well, you know, we we wouldn't be able to issue or give them a permit to drill a well that they would have to go the county planning department have to go to their other planning to.
[1:30:00] They would have to go through the groundwater management authority. I don't think I'm saying the name of that agency right, but potentially they could drill new wells. They would have to go through a permitting process for that, and we would not be, I don't think we would have any say in their well. Yes, please do. Can you change it to the slide where it shows the shortage? If you don't mind, because I have a question. If I'm understanding the question is, if development occurs in the air,
[1:30:29] report area, how would they get additional water for supporting that growth in that area.
[1:30:36] And there's multiple pathways that we speak a little bit about that in the water supply
[1:30:41] assessments for those areas.
[1:30:43] One way is to offset their potable demand with recycled water.
[1:30:48] So as we've heard in past council meetings, expansion of recycled water into the airport
[1:30:55] area could offset some of this demand.
[1:30:57] And there is an opportunity for wells to be drilled.
[1:31:02] For example, what we're doing in Windsor with the aquifer storage and recovery,
[1:31:08] that could still happen in the airport area, potentially.
[1:31:11] If it ultimately becomes feasible, we would go through the same processes
[1:31:16] as we're going through with the offer of our wells that we're working on in Windsor.
[1:31:21] and so they would be, ultimately my expectation it would be that those
[1:31:27] become Windsor water district wells and so how those be get funded for
[1:31:32] development those are all things that absolutely need to be coordinated and
[1:31:36] worked on and what is that demand and we don't have clarity about what that
[1:31:41] future looks like at this point you know before I ask my question can I ask our
[1:31:47] council I just don't want to go too deep into something where we shouldn't be
[1:31:51] talking about, are we okay with these types of questions? I mean, we're just
[1:31:56] approving a plan here. And these questions are fine just because they do have
[1:32:00] to because that area is shown it is related. Okay. But you're right, Mayor, we
[1:32:08] don't really have control as far as what the county does. Right. And they're
[1:32:12] permitting of wells. Okay. But I think this information is related. Okay, thank you
[1:32:16] because now my question is kind of similar. And I think I asked this
[1:32:21] last time he presented last month. So the Russian River, we have a surplus. So like looking
[1:32:28] at this information, we'll just let them borrow what their shirt follows, but that doesn't
[1:32:32] work that way, right? We don't, we don't, we wouldn't give them more water than they're allocated,
[1:32:39] right? Sure. I think the short answer is yes, you are correct. This is a water supply planning
[1:32:46] effort. So we're looking long-term, we're not looking at operational supplies and operations
[1:32:51] of the system. Someone needs water, they're a customer of art. We're going to move everything
[1:32:57] we can, we're going to get them water. So that's, I want to set that aside and look at how we plan
[1:33:02] for long-term water supplies and that's where you're seeing this separation between the two areas.
[1:33:09] is if the Windsor-Water District Board chose to utilize that what is on paper, a surplus
[1:33:19] to provide additional water to the airport area, that commitment could be made.
[1:33:26] That is an approach, however, there are, again, opportunities to develop additional supplies
[1:33:33] in that area to offset that demand that supports that growth.
[1:33:38] We have seen in Windsor and at the Windsor Water District, we have seen a request for water supply that far outpace what has previously been zoned for in given properties within both the airport area and within the town.
[1:33:57] That's something that gives us great concern.
[1:34:00] That 1385 acre feet looks like a large number.
[1:34:04] It is, however, it makes me nervous.
[1:34:08] And that makes me cautious.
[1:34:09] When you look at the risks to our water supply
[1:34:12] with global warming and you look at risks to the supply
[1:34:16] in the region with the potter valley issues.
[1:34:20] And then the water uses that come with different commercial operations
[1:34:26] or from a densification of housing developments,
[1:34:31] there is a potential absolutely for the demand
[1:34:35] to outstrip that supply that we're projecting
[1:34:38] on the screen today.
[1:34:41] And so I would, my recommendation, as,
[1:34:45] and I should say, I'm Shannon Coutula,
[1:34:47] the Public Works Director and Town Engineer,
[1:35:00] Aye, where there's shortfall to offset that demand with an expectation that there's abundant water for everybody and we have the time now to implement those increases in supply rather than putting at risk the future opportunities for the community. I don't know if I answered your question. You kind of did, and I'm going to add some more and please stop me if I'm overstepping or reaching, but I just you mentioned that. Okay.
[1:35:29] So the airport area, there are customers.
[1:35:34] So the plan is that they have 900 cubic feet
[1:35:39] of water and if they choose to build more and grow,
[1:35:46] is that going to put a burden on our staff
[1:35:50] to find them water? Is that on us?
[1:35:53] It is, it will be the Windsor water district
[1:35:56] that needs to develop that water supply, where that water supply comes from, how it gets paid for,
[1:36:02] that is something absolutely has to happen in conjunction with the county as the
[1:36:09] the development approval authority, the land use approving authority, and us as the Windsor
[1:36:14] Water District as the water supplier, and the developer who wants to come in and develop when there's
[1:36:20] inadequate water supply for that area. The reason that there is a separation between the
[1:36:26] the 4,725 and the 900 acre feet is because it's a contractual agreement that the county
[1:36:36] through contract with Sonoma water would provide 900 up to 900 acre feet per year of water
[1:36:43] for Windsor water district to supply water to the airport area. And because of that agreement,
[1:36:52] That's where that 900 acre fee comes from and we can, the Windsor Water District, that
[1:36:59] town supply, that 4725, some of that can go to the airport area, but it doesn't have
[1:37:04] to.
[1:37:05] Okay.
[1:37:06] I got that.
[1:37:07] Okay.
[1:37:07] Any other questions?
[1:37:09] Thank you.
[1:37:10] Any?
[1:37:11] Okay.
[1:37:11] I'm going to go ahead and open it to public.
[1:37:14] Anyone from the public wishing to make a comment, please, on this item alone, please approach
[1:37:19] podium.
[1:37:27] I'm sitting here taking notes and I think that I'm kind of at the same place where you are but
[1:37:32] I'm not on the council so I can make any public comment I want.
[1:37:39] It looks like we have a developer
[1:37:42] that came in that wants to put a thousand homes on this area of supply and it looks like in a fairly
[1:37:51] short amount of time. Just what we know will exceed the supply that we have. There's
[1:37:58] also lots of land out at the airport and that'd be a great place for them to put a data
[1:38:07] center which would use huge amounts of water. What liability does the town have because
[1:38:16] because the county is the one that's allowing that development to go in.
[1:38:23] So I know that both Christina and Shannon are really super smart and I know they have
[1:38:30] a plan for this but it just it seems like there's liability left for the town and the
[1:38:37] water supply to the town if there are parts that are outside of our control.
[1:38:41] So I hope that makes sense and that is sort of still my question.
[1:38:45] Thank you.
[1:38:47] Anybody else from the public?
[1:38:50] Okay. Seeing none, I'm going to close the public hearing and bring it back to the council for discussion.
[1:38:56] And I'll go ahead and start since I kind of had my question.
[1:39:00] And so I guess my concern, and this is something, I guess we have to go and address forward, the airport area is growing.
[1:39:12] It's definitely growing.
[1:39:13] I think today in the press Democrat, they talked about the airport expansion and, you know,
[1:39:19] pretty soon that whole strip could look like I am picturing going to Oakland airport and
[1:39:24] just left and right hotels, gas stations, you know, just very, you know, traveling in and
[1:39:30] out.
[1:39:30] So there's going to be a, it's growing.
[1:39:32] So I guess my concern when I first started to educate myself on this and you guys have
[1:39:38] done a great job. I don't want to diminish whatever the word is for that. Say you haven't.
[1:39:47] I don't know if the council themselves going forward. I don't want to see our staff do too much work.
[1:39:58] work.
[1:39:59] One.
[1:40:00] I appreciate it. I'm going to approve this report. It's a report, great report. But I just really
[1:40:06] want to, would like to think about that a little bit more going forward when the time comes.
[1:40:12] So, I guess that's, that's my comment. Anyone else?
[1:40:19] I guess just for clarification and understanding,
[1:40:26] We administer the airport's water and at any point in time, we could stop
[1:40:36] administrating that the airport's water. Is that true?
[1:40:42] Can I, if I can answer that question through the matter, please?
[1:40:48] We have a contractual agreement and there are termination clauses in that
[1:40:54] agreement that stipulate, this is out of my memory, that for example we've got to give
[1:41:02] them a years notice and that if we did that, that we would seed over, we would dedicate
[1:41:08] all of the assets for water assets that are in the airport area that belong to the Windsor
[1:41:14] Water District, we would dedicate those assets over to the county, to the county as assets
[1:41:21] that's up there so that they could then distribute water.
[1:41:24] There is also language in there
[1:41:26] that there's a believe or requirement that we,
[1:41:31] there is a requirement that we would still,
[1:41:34] they would still be able to purchase water
[1:41:36] from the Windsor Water District to supply that area.
[1:41:40] There's some details that would need to be worked out there.
[1:41:43] And the other aspect is the consumers at the airport pay a rate.
[1:41:50] There's different than the consumers in Windsor pay because it's aqueduct water and those
[1:41:56] rates pay for our time and effort in administrating and operating the systems.
[1:42:05] That's just very similar to how it works in the town of Windsor, our customers pay for
[1:42:12] us to be able to serve the water.
[1:42:16] And I think it was really this idea that having the town and the airport together give us some resilience to a great degree, we have access to the aqueduct water to a certain extent.
[1:42:34] We wouldn't have if we were separate and the county has some access to our water.
[1:42:39] especially if there's an emergency, that would be very helpful, is that, so that's kind
[1:42:44] of the benefits of what we've entered into historically, is that true?
[1:42:49] Yeah, absolutely.
[1:42:49] Both of those, if I understand those comments correctly, yes, they pay a higher rate.
[1:42:56] They pay for the 900 acre feet of water is at a much higher rate than the water that we
[1:43:02] produce at our wells that we charge, I'll say those in-town customers, the, with respect
[1:43:08] to the resiliency, it is incredibly important and valuable for us as the Windsor Water District
[1:43:14] to have that secondary connection and supply to the aqueducts. Absolutely, if something did happen,
[1:43:21] flooding, for example, were to happen at our wells on the river and we lost that supply for some
[1:43:26] reason. I can't overstate the benefit of having that resiliency to pull water from the aqueduct.
[1:43:35] We're limited to that 900 acre feet on an annualized basis that we would pull if we needed to we'll pull as much water if we possibly can through that 12 inch connection, which is a lot of water.
[1:43:48] And the reality is when a customer gets a bill whether it's the airport or the town, the cost of the actual water is minuscule.
[1:43:57] It seems to me it's a half a penny a gallon or even less, but it's the process.
[1:44:05] It's how it comes to my house and how we read the meter, how we do the building and all
[1:44:10] those things.
[1:44:11] And the infrastructure that's really that's the basis for the bill.
[1:44:15] Sure.
[1:45:01] We're not actually paying somebody to purchase the water from them. It is the production of the water. It's the cost of that water right, the administration of that. All of those are what feed into Windsor's, I'll say, not the outside areas but the Windsor water that we provide to community members within the town. And I don't mean to prolong this, but even the electricity for the pumps and the chlorine will be used.
[1:45:30] it still doesn't add up to very much in terms of the cost for gallon of water.
[1:45:34] It is really the delivery that's costly.
[1:45:38] Absolutely, okay.
[1:45:40] Any, go ahead.
[1:45:41] Sure.
[1:45:41] Yeah.
[1:45:43] So as I have been watching this, and I guess it's the third time I've seen this
[1:45:49] basic presentation or read it or whatever.
[1:45:52] It seems to me the first time I saw it, there was a little red.
[1:45:57] There was a little red number over on the very bottom right hand last page so that we've
[1:46:02] got a little bit of risk here.
[1:46:04] And then now there's probably some middle stage and now I'm seeing significantly more.
[1:46:11] Admittedly, though, it's 5, 10, 15, 20 years out in the future.
[1:46:16] And my understanding was that if we run into these issues, that there is plenty of, I'll
[1:46:25] call it, capacity.
[1:46:26] it's sort of phantom capacity. By providing non-potable water, recycled water, we can mitigate,
[1:46:33] this is one of the mitigation plans, the need for potable water, and that's not shown on here,
[1:46:43] and that solves most of the problems except for a 20-year drought scenario or something like that.
[1:46:51] Am I understanding that fairly correctly?
[1:46:52] I will say yes to the point where we can mitigate potable water use and offset that demand
[1:47:04] with recycled water for things like irrigating your plants, et cetera, around town.
[1:47:11] If you're envisioning, however, that all houses in the town of Windsor have recycled water
[1:47:18] and irrigation, their outside irrigation is done with recycled water, at that level of
[1:47:24] demand we can't offset. That's more demand than we actually have recycled water. And
[1:47:29] the infrastructure to put in that recycled water is very expensive. One of the reasons
[1:47:33] that we target the airport area is that there are some large irrigation demands that are
[1:47:40] using potable water that could very much benefit from being offset by that recycle water
[1:47:50] demand. The bang for the buck is there for that investment, but there are other places
[1:47:55] like the proposed development north of Arata in that area with new construction. If we can
[1:48:01] get recycled water out there, we can reduce, substantively reduce their potable water demand
[1:48:06] and for those developments.
[1:48:08] So the idea here is that we're looking down the pike.
[1:48:13] We're fine for the next few years.
[1:48:16] And we're looking down into the future,
[1:48:18] coming up with the mitigation plans,
[1:48:20] seeing what we have to do out into the future.
[1:48:23] You're presenting this.
[1:48:24] We're saying yes, we're accepting this.
[1:48:28] And that's where we stand with respect to this.
[1:48:30] If there's a little red number down there
[1:48:32] in the bottom right hand corner,
[1:48:34] that's what we're looking at and analyzing it.
[1:48:37] That's the exercise we're going through right now.
[1:48:39] Yes, and outside of this plan we are looking for ways
[1:48:42] to mitigate that red number down in the bottom corner.
[1:48:46] Okay, sounds good.
[1:48:49] Any other?
[1:48:50] Good.
[1:48:50] Thank you again.
[1:48:52] So thank you so much for the presentation.
[1:48:53] Thank you for the work and looking at this.
[1:48:56] Because this is a concern that I think that I know I hear regularly is like,
[1:49:00] hey, well, why is there all this building in Windsor?
[1:49:02] Because there's not enough water and there's going to be a water shortage
[1:49:04] And we see on here that there's not going to be a water shortage, but where it is hard to explain and is what you mentioned earlier is when there is a dry year.
[1:49:17] And we do ask whether there is a three years or whatever of a dry spell. And we do ask for the cutbacks.
[1:49:23] And then it becomes like, well, why are you asking for cutbacks when you're saying that there's plenty of water.
[1:49:28] And so I think that's just a communication around that that I think it needs to be really solid so that we can say that yes
[1:49:33] The town of Windsor has planned for water. We do have water with the current
[1:49:38] Resources that we have all the way out to 2050 and there's plenty of surplus right now and
[1:49:44] But there are occasions when it is super dry that we do we are asked, you know, to pull back and
[1:49:51] Save that water and it is really encouraging that we did ask for those 20% cuts before and there hasn't been a bounce back
[1:49:57] And I think that that speaks a lot to the residents and
[1:50:00] All of you, if you mind. Go ahead. I would move that we adopt a resolution, the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan. And do we want to do two at once?
[1:50:16] One resolution altogether. And the second one, I'd the board adopt the resolution, the 2025 water shortage contingency plan.
[1:50:26] Yeah.
[1:50:26] Is there a second?
[1:50:27] Second.
[1:50:28] Roll call vote please.
[1:50:30] Board Member Sammon.
[1:50:32] Aye.
[1:50:32] Vice President Potter.
[1:50:34] Aye.
[1:50:34] Board Member Leap.
[1:50:36] Board Member Wall.
[1:50:37] Yes.
[1:50:38] And President Renosa.
[1:50:39] Aye.
[1:50:40] Thank you.
[1:50:40] Thank you again so much.
[1:50:42] Thank you.
[1:50:43] Thank you for entertaining all our questions.
[1:50:46] Water is important.
[1:50:49] Okay.
[1:50:49] We're moving on to our regular calendar item.
[1:50:52] The town street tree policy overview.
[1:51:29] All right.
[1:51:29] Can everyone see the PowerPoint?
[1:51:31] Yes.
[1:51:31] That's making sure.
[1:51:33] All right.
[1:51:33] Good evening.
[1:51:34] Mayor, vice mayor and council members.
[1:51:36] My name is Kevin Locke.
[1:51:37] I am a planner with the community development department.
[1:51:40] And today we are going to be discussing street trees.
[1:51:45] So the little presentation overview.
[1:51:47] We're going to start with background.
[1:51:49] What is a street tree?
[1:51:50] The current town regulatory context for street trees.
[1:51:54] Challenges in street tree management and alternatives.
[1:51:58] and then the recommended action for tonight.
[1:52:02] So, the little background.
[1:52:04] Trees are an integral part to the town of Windsor,
[1:52:06] and contribute to its scenic beauty,
[1:52:08] increase property values, help reduce energy costs,
[1:52:12] reduce the heat island effect, provide habitat for wildlife,
[1:52:16] and it's timely that the hazard mitigation item came tonight
[1:52:19] as it helps resiliency in the town and reduce some impacts
[1:52:24] of climate change.
[1:52:26] So as a result, the town has adopted a variety of regulatory goals, policies and to protect
[1:52:35] and preserve trees in the town.
[1:52:38] And specifically street trees, which is going to be the focus of its presentation.
[1:52:43] So.
[1:52:44] Okay.
[1:52:44] I have to ask.
[1:52:45] Is that a street in winter?
[1:52:47] No.
[1:52:48] Unfortunately not.
[1:52:50] Okay.
[1:52:51] Sorry.
[1:52:51] Go ahead.
[1:52:52] I tried to get them on.
[1:52:52] the other side. So what is the street tree? A street tree is any tree growing within the towns
[1:53:00] right away or an area within the easement. The way I describe it to most is any tree growing
[1:53:06] within the street and the sidewalk in a landscaping strip, but there are other options for street
[1:53:13] trees such as within a traffic island or a median.
[1:53:21] So as mentioned, trees are an integral part
[1:53:24] of the town and as a result the town has adopted a variety of regulations related to trees
[1:53:29] starting with the general plan. The general plan's guiding principles have dedicated the
[1:53:34] town to the preservation of environmental resources and the enhancement of the public realm.
[1:53:39] As a result there are numerous policies within the general plan related to trees and street tree
[1:53:44] management and then there is zoning code chapter 17.22.030 which is the town's tree preservation
[1:53:54] ordinance. This is sort of the main document regulating protected trees in the town. A street
[1:54:00] tree is considered to protect its species in the town and a tree removal permit is required
[1:54:05] prior to removal of any street tree. And then there is the tree technical manual which sort of acts
[1:54:11] as a supplement to the zoning code. The document is used for procedures and standards for the preservation
[1:54:18] protection and maintenance of trees, and then we have the greenhouse gas or GHG checklist.
[1:54:25] This was actually recently adopted by Council, which is intended to reduce greenhouse
[1:55:00] The great of ways, public spaces, and parking lots. And then there is the complete streets design guidelines, which establishes principles and guidelines for creating streets for all modes of transit. Within there, there's guidelines related to distance between each street, free placement, hierarchy, and larger streets and the type of tree you would plant. And then recommended tree size and then recommended tree well standards. And then there's title, title 10 chapter six of the municipal code, which is not
[1:55:29] specifically related to street trees, but it's related to the management of sidewalks.
[1:55:35] This municipal growth section establishes the homeowner responsibility for maintenance
[1:55:40] of the sidewalks in front of their house in a reasonable condition.
[1:55:44] And maintenance of sidewalk may include tree trimming, installation of root barriers
[1:55:49] to ensure that the sidewalk does remain in said condition.
[1:55:53] And then finally, there is assembly bill 2551, which is a cal fire led initiative to increase
[1:55:59] tree canopy in urban areas by 10% by 2035.
[1:56:05] So while the town has adopted all these standards and policies related to the protections of
[1:56:10] these trees, there are still challenges to management of them.
[1:56:14] The first being cost and liability associated with maintenance.
[1:56:18] As mentioned, tree trees are the responsibility of, well, sidewalks are the responsibility
[1:56:23] of the adjacent property owner, and trees can cause damages to sidewalks, and regular
[1:56:30] maintenance and carousel trees is required to ensure the health and safety of the tree,
[1:56:35] as well as the safety of the sidewalk. This maintenance can be costly to the property owner,
[1:56:41] and the town does not have additional resources to assist property owners in management of this.
[1:56:47] As a result, maintenance of street trees is mainly deferred until it becomes an issue or a hazard.
[1:56:55] As a result, this prolonged lack of care typically results in the decline of the tree or the death of the tree.
[1:57:01] And then there is conflicts with town regulation.
[1:57:05] The town's tree preservation ordinance typically only allows removal of trees when it's dead, dangerous, hazardous.
[1:57:12] and the ordinance prioritizes preservation first.
[1:57:18] So what can we do to prevent this tree from being removed?
[1:57:21] Are there options before we even consider
[1:57:23] the removal route?
[1:57:24] However, with Title 10 chapter six of the municipal code,
[1:57:28] as the sidewalk needs to be maintained
[1:57:30] in reasonable condition and with the typical deferred maintenance
[1:57:34] that we're seeing with tree tree management,
[1:57:37] by the time the tree is,
[1:57:40] by the time we're talking about the tree,
[1:57:42] it's already a hazard, it's already an issue, and it's difficult to look at other options
[1:57:48] to protect the tree. At that point, as well, the standards, the town has adopted four sidewalks
[1:57:54] are rigid, and there's not a lot of, the town has a specific standard related sidewalks that need
[1:58:00] to be maintained, and so with street trees, there's not a lot of variability that could occur there.
[1:58:06] So this conflict typically ends with the tree being removed, and then there's public knowledge.
[1:58:14] Many residents and property owners are not aware that street trees are their responsibility as well.
[1:58:20] These are, street trees are typically designated as property owner responsibility during the entitlement process.
[1:58:26] This could be in the form of a condition of approval or a note on the final map of the project.
[1:58:31] And as the development ages, this information may not be passed down to new property owners,
[1:58:37] and this can result in property owners removing the tree without a permit, or unknowingly
[1:58:43] removing it, or not maintaining it.
[1:58:47] Oops.
[1:58:48] And then finally, co-enforcement.
[1:58:50] The tree preservation ordinance outlines civil penalties for the unlawful removal of
[1:58:55] a tree tree.
[1:58:57] However, enforcement of this ordinance is difficult.
[1:58:59] The town's co-enforcement is complaint-based, so if someone were to remove a street tree and there is no complaint submitted, it's likely that the violation will go unresolved.
[1:59:12] And based on data from the California's Urban Tree Canopy Bureau by Cal Fire, the town is currently the town lost around 109 acres of urban canopy between 2018 and 2022.
[1:59:24] So the town is actively losing more canopy than it is gaining.
[1:59:27] This conflicts with the town's goals of note on loss of trees over a 10-year period.
[1:59:36] So what is some alternative to current policy that could aid in these challenges?
[1:59:41] One would be an urban forestry management plan.
[1:59:44] This is a proactive approach to management of the urban forest in town and it aligns with
[1:59:50] one of our general plan policies, ER-16, that the town shall pursue outreach, education,
[1:59:55] and C-CRAP funding to develop and implement an Urban Forestry Management Plan.
[2:00:00] And a typical plan comprises a vision setting where we'd establish a shared goal or vision for street
[2:00:06] trees in the town, an inventory and assessment of the town's current tree canopy, and then the strategic
[2:00:13] planning, like I said, developing goals, objectives, standards, and then implementation, which is creating
[2:00:19] detailed timelines and how we're actually going to do what we're saying. And then there, as mentioned,
[2:00:26] there is a zoning text amendment where we could consider revising town regulation related to street
[2:00:33] trees, whether it be additional standards for street tree care, protection, et cetera. That is
[2:00:39] another option the town could consider. And then finally an internal policy. Town staff at the
[2:00:46] discretion of the town manager could develop an internal policy which covers minor street tree issues
[2:00:52] views such as tree care, property owner disputes, maintenance, and how the town would respond
[2:00:57] to these issues.
[2:00:59] An internal policy would be more small-scale, and wouldn't be as proactive as, say, an
[2:01:05] urban forestry management plan.
[2:01:09] And so the recommended action tonight is to receive a presentation, take public comment,
[2:01:13] and provide input to staff on the town's three trees policies, regulatory challenges, and
[2:01:18] potential opportunities for change.
[2:01:20] And that concludes my report.
[2:01:22] Thank you very much. We'll start with questions. Does anyone have questions for staff?
[2:01:32] Yes, my excuse me. Okay, Council Member Leite.
[2:01:35] You gave some statistics there, and thank you very much for this report. This is really
[2:01:40] of interest to me as I'm going to relate in just a moment, but you gave some statistics there
[2:01:46] about losing of canopy, and there wasn't too much discussion of that. Can you tell me a little
[2:01:54] Not so much the numbers, but the reasons and what we're doing about it, and if we are
[2:02:02] doing anything about it.
[2:02:05] You know, some of the reasons were described in the report, you know, propioners may be removing
[2:02:10] trees.
[2:02:10] The town is currently dealing with the Mediterranean oak borer, which is taking out a lot
[2:02:16] of our oak trees.
[2:02:18] Yeah, so those PG need does a lot of tree line work that could result in removal of the urban
[2:02:23] in canopy, and then Patrick, you have a lot of it does have to do with development patterns.
[2:02:29] So, we are seeing based on fires and things like that, there's reduction in vegetation
[2:02:35] that's taking place. And as was mentioned, like PG&E and Utilities lower in risk by removing trees.
[2:02:42] But also, we haven't seen large-scale development of neighborhoods in the last several decades.
[2:02:48] So while large subdivisions are put in place, the trees are planted and you get that additional canopy.
[2:02:57] Now we've just had aging subdivisions where we're, as Mr. Locke mentioned, we're seeing, you know, a tree disappears here, a tree disappears there.
[2:03:05] So over time, that canopy that was planted as a town expanded is disappearing.
[2:03:10] So as we do have new development of new neighborhoods, we are adding to that canopy, but right now we're at a deficit, it seems.
[2:03:16] Okay. And do you have, you mentioned both the management plan and the internal town policy?
[2:03:26] Do you have a rough estimate on time and cost for each of those to create the urban forest
[2:03:33] management plan versus the 4 a.m. the internal town policy about, I mean since, because today
[2:03:42] we would give you direction, right? We would say, yeah, please go forward and do this or do that.
[2:03:47] But any idea on if I could through the mayor. I think today was kind of a to dipping our toe in the water
[2:03:54] If it's something that the council is interested in we could certainly receive that direction to go investigate that and then
[2:04:01] Knowing the current situation with the budget we would most likely bring that back during the budget approval process as one of the options for council to consider
[2:04:09] Okay, perfect. Thank you very much. Any other questions for staff?
[2:04:13] I could yeah
[2:04:16] Through this discussion, I think we've all noticed that street trees die and they're
[2:04:26] not replaced.
[2:04:27] And I think that was probably one of the reasons we're here tonight is that that's
[2:04:33] part of the problem is street trees are not replaced because they're costly to replace.
[2:04:38] Is there a method that we could give direction to come up with a plan to replace the
[2:04:44] I'm missing street trees that are fairly obvious.
[2:04:50] Again, that could be direction that you could have staff investigate.
[2:04:55] Okay, I will mention that one of the things that we didn't mention in this report is we do have a
[2:05:02] The first thing we ask is that they, well, first, we ask preserved trees as best as possible. If the trees can't be preserved, we ask that you replace them in kind. The third option is that you can pay into this tree mitigation fund, which the purpose of that fund is to plant trees elsewhere in town or to protect trees. So the council may recall a couple of years ago, we came asking to divert some of those, those funds to be used for protection of the oak trees.
[2:05:29] to try different strategies. So, that fund exists as well. And that could be related to that internal policy of how we use that fund to focus on big ticket items like planting groves and parks or maybe looking out at where we are losing trees on the smaller scale street trees and replacing that using that revenue source.
[2:05:54] There's just one more question to come here, is when we're looking and approving the design
[2:05:59] of neighborhoods, I know that there's been neighborhoods where the street shoes were
[2:06:06] planted and the root bowl wasn't done correctly so then it caused more problems with the sidewalks
[2:06:12] and I've seen people cut their trees down because it's causing so much damage to their sidewalk
[2:06:16] that they don't want the tree to continue to grow.
[2:06:17] So is there like ways that were you know in our in our zoning in our building plan that says that to try to mitigate those those problems so that the street trees don't get cut down later or their smaller trees or some way or if that's maybe the direction that we're giving staff tonight is to try to find ways to make sure that the trees aren't going to destroy our sidewalks so the people leave them and yeah, that could be something that we see in the urban forestry plan or forestry management plan.
[2:06:46] But also, there are best practices that have changed over time.
[2:06:50] So now it is a requirement that we include in new street trees that Mr. Locke mentioned
[2:06:55] root barriers as one of the options, so that it doesn't prevent root intrusion completely,
[2:07:00] but it does significantly decrease the chance that you're going to have significant sidewalk
[2:07:06] damage.
[2:07:07] And that will last a long time because the tree conforms its roots to that barrier instead.
[2:07:13] So we do incorporate best practices as best we can.
[2:07:15] Thank you. Any other questions? No. I'm going to open it up to the public. Anyone from the public wishing to make a comment on this item 14.1 may do so by approaching the podium.
[2:07:30] Seeing none, I'll bring you back to the council for discussion.
[2:07:34] and input. Yeah, discussion input.
[2:07:40] Sure.
[2:07:42] Well, just in kind of a general way, I'm very interested in the town somehow,
[2:07:46] rather, getting involved in advising or suggesting or financing or doing whatever is necessary or possible
[2:07:56] to monitor the tree situation all around town and either get it back right or make it right.
[2:08:06] And I'm really familiar with this because where I live, I don't watch this everywhere,
[2:08:12] but where I live, I see it happening on a regular basis. I live in Oak Park.
[2:08:17] And the developer, I believe it was the developer, when they installed the installs onward,
[2:08:23] what they put in the development, they gave trees to the tree owners and they are these
[2:08:29] some sort of oak tree. I don't know what it is. It's not the common oak that you're
[2:08:33] or the fancy oak that you're used to. Anyway, and they're just, they are huge. I mean,
[2:08:40] you know, 50, 50 feet tall, 60 feet tall, and people have over the years either cut them down,
[2:08:47] which is an incredible thing. It's necessary. They give a lot of nice shade or they trim them.
[2:08:53] And it's really, really expensive and there is one guy who out on the corner near me on
[2:08:58] gridley and Shiloh, it was ruining the sidewalk he took out a tree and he put in a new sidewalk.
[2:09:05] Okay, fine. And the sidewalk's the wrong color. So, you know, it's it's a light gray instead
[2:09:11] of a brownish gray or whatever is in there. And I don't know how that occurred or why that occurred.
[2:09:16] So I think these things do need potential, special attention and increased attention.
[2:09:25] So I'm in favor of going back and having a look at that.
[2:09:30] Anyone else?
[2:10:00] As an example, when Mr. Streeter mentioned, if a developer removes a tree, and I know we try to help them or guide them towards mitigating that, right? But if they remove a 75-year-old oak tree and plant this little guy and call that even swap, so I think there's some maybe strategic parts of the policy we can look at. Yeah.
[2:10:26] I think a tree mitigation policy, if it's implemented in force,
[2:10:32] is works because it's not, it's, it's expensive.
[2:10:37] If you take out a heritage tree or oak tree is protected and it's large, the cost is,
[2:10:46] I think the cost is great.
[2:10:49] I don't think it's just replanting a small tree.
[2:10:51] Is that correct, Patrick?
[2:10:53] That is correct.
[2:10:53] There's a calculation and so are there calculations?
[2:10:56] I think the problem I'm seeing is we've got a goal to increase the tree canopy in the town by 10%
[2:11:06] I think I heard, and yet we've lost 19%.
[2:11:10] I mean so you put those together and we've got a problem because it doesn't fit with our greenhouse gas goals
[2:11:17] it doesn't fit with sustainability and I don't know that an urban forest management plan
[2:11:24] And it will solve the problem, the problem is one of planning the trees.
[2:11:31] I know in my neighborhood the trees are not, and they're not street trees.
[2:11:35] They were put in by the developer and they're in the front yard.
[2:11:39] And the vast majority of those are gone.
[2:11:44] And I think there's, I don't think there's any violation in that aspect.
[2:11:51] because they weren't protected trees.
[2:11:56] They're kind of an ornamental tree.
[2:11:58] But somehow if we can come up with something
[2:12:02] that would generate people planting trees,
[2:12:06] maybe that is their enforced management plan.
[2:12:09] I don't know, but my fear is we have a plan
[2:12:16] and it's a booklet.
[2:12:19] But, and then we don't have the ability to do the enforcement or do the implementation
[2:12:25] and getting the trees planted.
[2:12:27] So I'd be looking to see how we can, you know, can we provide trees and advertise a
[2:12:35] day where people can come and get a tree and have neighborhood, you know, to just kind
[2:12:42] of try to bring it back to Earth.
[2:12:44] I don't know.
[2:12:48] I agree. I think I don't know if that would be in the urban management plan, or it would be partnering with a nonprofit that does do work like this that doesn't encourage people to plant trees and hold events that they give away tree or offer them a super low cost because I think that it's not going to be a combination of us having updated policies that incentivize people to plant trees and incentivize the help that the town is going to be doing.
[2:13:15] can offer to keep the trees there, but plus having events that bring this to the towns,
[2:13:23] you know, which brings it to their awareness so that they aren't encouraged to plant trees.
[2:13:29] We were lucky. We planted four trees this year in our yard. And so we're super excited about that.
[2:13:34] They're going to take years and years before they're big enough to provide any sort of shade.
[2:13:37] And so I feel like the sooner we do it, the better. And I do like each year our town park
[2:13:43] trees are just getting more beautiful and bigger and so that's really encouraging but continuing
[2:13:48] to try to bring this to light so that people know that they're not supposed to cut their
[2:13:52] street trees down and that they know that if they do cut one down they're encouraged to plant one
[2:13:58] in its place and then but yeah so in any way that we can look at these policies I'm going to
[2:14:05] agreement with that. Yeah I definitely would like to look at the internal town policy I think that
[2:14:10] might be a little bit something that we could definitely put enough time in to make something
[2:14:19] sooner than later than I'd imagine an urban forest man in a plant would take a little bit longer.
[2:14:27] But I do recall it was a big discussion moving forward with new developments that we have to figure out
[2:14:34] What are the right trees to plant from the get-go for new developments coming in?
[2:14:41] And hopefully I think we have something in there for that.
[2:14:45] I hope we do.
[2:14:46] If we don't, we need to look at that closely.
[2:14:48] Another thing is it is a financial burden and I think a lot of people rather than maintaining
[2:14:55] the tree will head it down, unfortunately.
[2:14:59] I recall.
[2:15:02] So, what are we going to do? Hopefully there is. Maybe there is a nonprofit. Because I know we talked about a few years ago, coming up with a plan to help finance the people that can pay afford it and maybe partner up. But I don't know where we're heading with that. But again, education is a big piece.
[2:15:22] And yeah, so I hopefully we can do something sooner than later.
[2:15:27] to keep this conversation going and activate something.
[2:15:32] Do you think we could reach out to the community and advise them
[2:15:36] what our problem is?
[2:15:39] If it is a problem, for me, it's a problem.
[2:15:43] If we're a goal to increase the tree canopy by 10%,
[2:15:47] and we're going backwards, I think we need to tell the community that,
[2:15:53] and that may generate someone planning a tree.
[2:15:59] If I could, councilmember Sam, to your point, following the adoption of council of that
[2:16:07] new ordinance, well, it wasn't a new ordinance, restating the ordinance about the responsibility
[2:16:13] of the homeowner for the sidewalk in front of their home.
[2:16:16] We did start to develop an outreach program.
[2:16:19] At that time, the outreach program also included the potential, as Mayor Renosa discussed,
[2:16:25] for some town assistance.
[2:16:26] However, that was shelved due to the current budget situation, and it is something that
[2:16:31] we would like to bring back in the future should, you know, our fiscal position allow
[2:16:36] it.
[2:16:37] Either way, though, we could certainly tweak that noticing a little bit to not only remind
[2:16:44] people of responsibility, but also perhaps offer ways that they can help mitigate in the
[2:16:48] short-term and the overall problem that we're having with the non-destruction but the reduction
[2:16:56] of the canopy. So I think we can do those things there that I heard and thank you.
[2:17:02] Yeah, I think that's a good idea to at least move forward with that part, a part of it
[2:17:07] for now. All right, anyone else? We're good? Are you upset? Okay, thank you so much for
[2:17:14] that. Thank you great. And then last but not least in the section 14.2 direction of voting delegates
[2:17:23] on town's position for the CalCities meeting that's happening next week or the week after.
[2:17:33] One is a week after next Friday next Friday next Friday.
[2:17:42] Okay.
[2:17:49] Thank you and good evening Mayor and
[2:17:52] council member. So Irene, come on to your worthy town clerk. Yes, so that is the actionable item
[2:17:59] before you tonight is to provide direction to your voting delegates on the proposed resolution
[2:18:05] that will be heard at the business meeting on Friday the 25th at the CalCities annual conference.
[2:18:13] As a reminder, the town is a member of CalCities. That's why you are able to have a voting
[2:18:21] delegate in alternates.
[2:18:26] And at the meeting of, let's see, one of our previous meetings,
[2:18:32] this council chose councilmember salmon as the primary voting delegate with alternates
[2:18:39] being councilmember leap and vice mayor potter. And the resolution did come after the
[2:18:46] delegation assignments were made as part of the packet for Cal cities. So the resolution
[2:18:53] they're calling it on local housing and land use authority.
[2:18:58] The action before you is going to be to direct your voting delegates
[2:19:03] to either be in support of the resolution in opposition
[2:19:08] or just fully grant them the delegation voting discretion
[2:19:12] at the meeting.
[2:19:16] The proposed resolution came about,
[2:19:20] it was introduced by the City of Murietta
[2:19:23] with concurrence from six other cities along with two
[2:19:28] mayorial endorsements.
[2:19:30] It did follow what is required to submit a resolution
[2:19:36] through the CalCities bylaws, move through the various committees,
[2:19:40] and then under consideration by the General Assembly at the annual meeting.
[2:19:46] This came about where the state's push to increase housing production
[2:19:51] was rooted in legitimate need for more homes,
[2:19:55] but as we all have experienced the approach
[2:19:58] has also produced.
[2:20:00] We've used a bottleneck of challenges at the local level. Several communities are being asked to accommodate significant housing growth while simultaneously dealing with infrastructure, transportation, water, public services, and planning constraints. So as more decisions have shifted from local government to the state, both residents and local officials have increasingly questioned how much control.
[2:20:29] the committee should retain over their own growth and development and so the proposed
[2:20:35] resolution will work with CalCities to establish a group that's tasked with evaluating the
[2:20:42] state constitutional amendments and or ballot-based legislative strategies to then restore
[2:20:49] possible or where possible municipal authority, especially around housing and land use decisions.
[2:20:56] The
[2:21:02] full resolution was part of the packet, and again, I'm just here to take note of direction so I can provide that information to your voting delegates.
[2:21:14] But if I can, I'm happy to answer any questions.
[2:21:17] Thank you very much. Any questions for our town clerk?
[2:21:21] I don't have a question, but I would comment.
[2:21:24] The one question would be, I apologize Council on that, I'm not going to go.
[2:21:28] So, one of the alternates you can choose to be the voting delegate.
[2:21:35] Is that something we can do today to change that? Do we need to?
[2:21:40] No, the alternates can be on the day of.
[2:21:44] That's why we have two alternates.
[2:21:48] Okay, any other questions?
[2:21:51] Okay, I'll go ahead and open to the public.
[2:21:53] Anyone with comments?
[2:21:54] No, no, I won't.
[2:21:59] I hope he's about supporting me.
[2:22:01] I'm fighting behind the return.
[2:22:04] Hi, I'm still Betsy.
[2:22:08] I would hope this would be a no-brainer.
[2:22:11] I haven't heard anybody say anything,
[2:22:13] so it's not like I can make a comment.
[2:22:15] But I hear this council again and again say
[2:22:18] we have no choice in this.
[2:22:20] It's out of our control.
[2:22:22] It's state mandated.
[2:22:23] So I would certainly hope that you support
[2:22:26] this resolution, which I have not read, restoring local authority over housing and land use decision, and not
[2:22:33] oppose it or leave it for somebody's discretion during this meeting. Thank you. Thank you.
[2:22:40] Seeing no one else from the public, although I had a return to councilor discussion.
[2:22:45] So are two members attending? Council member Leap and Vice Mayor Potter, do you guys
[2:22:53] want to start by telling us what your thoughts are on this, or did you want our input?
[2:23:00] Either way? I mean, I'm going to give it to you either way. I'd like to hear from you guys.
[2:23:05] I would just like to say I may not be able to attend next week, so that is still up in the air.
[2:23:11] But I would be in support of the resolution. I think that we have enough
[2:23:15] of local control already been taken away from us.
[2:23:19] And I think that each city in the state of California
[2:23:24] has a different priorities and different personalities
[2:23:28] and they should be able to decide on their own land use
[2:23:31] and housing.
[2:23:32] And so having broad sweeps by the legislation
[2:23:36] to try to, and I understand it's to provide enough housing
[2:23:41] by some of the laws that are enacted that might work great
[2:23:44] for large cities don't necessarily work well for Windsor. And so I would be in support of it.
[2:23:50] And Council Member Leap, you're definitely going to be there?
[2:23:54] I am definitely going to be there. I'm thinking of now hiring a limo to get me from the airport
[2:24:02] and lock me in the convention hall. Yes, I am and I read all of this and like Betsy,
[2:24:11] I have I feel the same way she does. Mark your calendar there. Okay, and I'm in favor of it as vice mayor for her was
[2:24:21] Okay, I can talk to you offline, but if I need to go I can go but I'm not on the list that I wouldn't be able to vote
[2:24:29] That's correct. It's so too it's already passed that okay
[2:24:33] So when I make a difference if I decided to jump on last minute or not
[2:24:39] Okay, we'll talk offline, but I mean, I can't vote, but that's already been written.
[2:24:42] Right.
[2:24:42] As a member, you'd be able to attend the conference, but since you were not a designated
[2:24:48] voteee, then.
[2:24:50] Okay.
[2:24:51] Okay.
[2:24:51] We'll talk offline.
[2:24:52] We'll see.
[2:24:53] Very good.
[2:24:53] Anyone else?
[2:24:55] Go ahead.
[2:24:55] I do.
[2:24:56] I think just for the record.
[2:25:00] If this resolution's approved, it kind of makes a working group to start to look at how this could happen. And the group that I've been following, a group that has a name, this is generated out to Southern California. And I think it has a lot of possibilities to help us with issues. And I think as it goes through, we'll still see.
[2:25:29] maybe this will change and it will be a carrot instead of a stick because it seems like
[2:25:36] right now we deal with the stick. There's really no reward for doing the right thing and
[2:25:44] as we saw in every meeting so this may lead to helping us continue to have a good community
[2:25:56] that's enough said. So I'm very supportive of the proposed resolution.
[2:26:01] All right. Anyone else with directions? Are we good?
[2:26:05] You're good. Okay. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. Moving on now, any individual council member
[2:26:12] report comments? So we gave direction. Yes, you have direction. Well, yeah, I thought the direction
[2:26:20] was was going to ask Irene to prepare the documents or yeah to vote yes yes okay now moving on
[2:26:29] 15.1 any report outs on meetings or want to share anything I've got one report I want and it
[2:26:38] kind of fits with Creek Week um last week the Reston River Watershed Association met and JB thank
[2:26:44] you for coming JB was in attendance um and I think we you know if we talk about Creek Week you
[2:26:49] talk about the Russian River. I think of importance is the county of Sonoma has put forth either
[2:26:54] a million or two million dollars to do a study to kind of bring together in an authority
[2:27:03] type the Russian River watershed entities, Mendocino and Sonoma. And this might be, I made
[2:27:12] the comment at the media, it might be something like the transportation authority that has kind
[2:27:18] a separate individual, JPA powers, and they're going to look at that because right now everything's
[2:27:26] done by individual cities and in the counties. It's all kind of, we try, the rest of the
[2:27:30] rubber watershed association tries to coordinate much of the efforts to sustain the, sustain and
[2:27:38] improve the rest of the rubber quality. But it's, I think it's an interesting and valuable process
[2:27:47] and just that the county put forth the money is interesting.
[2:27:52] And of course, when we say the county put forth the money,
[2:27:54] I think really we're also looking at Sonoma water,
[2:27:57] although the money doesn't come from Sonoma water,
[2:28:00] but it's the same board.
[2:28:02] It's like we're the Windsor Water District
[2:28:05] and Windsor Council,
[2:28:07] and so the board of supervisors are Sonoma water.
[2:28:11] So that's my little report.
[2:28:13] Okay. Anyone else? Sure. So I appreciated Town Manager Davis is bringing that information
[2:28:24] about the bike lane over there under 101 and that was really fun to watch that go down.
[2:28:30] There was another very interesting thing that happened at that meeting and I can't really
[2:28:35] report on it now. I'd love to have them come in here and do this, but there are huge
[2:28:40] plans for Highway 37. It is absolutely amazing. Yeah really huge plans and I think everybody should
[2:28:52] know about it and the public should have a chance to see what's going on down there and because
[2:28:58] it's going to be an incredible disruption a lot of money and a new toll booth in both directions
[2:29:05] for five bucks probably. So anyway but we're talking you know in 29 or 30 or something like that.
[2:29:12] But very very interesting the developments that are going on way too much for me to say here.
[2:29:18] So John I forgot to give you that little gem. Would you keep us posted if there is
[2:29:25] an important meeting where the public should or could give feedback like that's something that I
[2:29:31] I always felt going to those meetings.
[2:29:34] I felt there wasn't enough time in advance
[2:29:37] where to let this is your time to speak now.
[2:29:42] I feel like things happen so fast there sometimes.
[2:29:45] So anyway, just keep that in mind.
[2:29:47] Well, I can definitely ask the executive director down there
[2:29:50] because it's the same environment here
[2:29:53] as the public comment.
[2:29:54] Yeah, I'm just trying to, yeah, so hard to stay
[2:29:56] on top of everything.
[2:29:58] OK, anyone else?
[2:30:02] No? Okay. Moving on to council requests for future agenda items.
[2:30:10] Councilmember Salmon.
[2:30:15] Again, I think we were in the middle of the specific, the downtown specific plan, but I am
[2:30:25] I'm very interested in studying the coordination of the new mill project, the Windsor Creek
[2:30:33] School site, and the Corps Creek, and whatever we can do to kind of bring those forward
[2:30:41] to look at them in an overall kind of way.
[2:30:46] And for us to determine what we'd like to see, and I think the planning commission should
[2:30:53] be involved, too, so that so that we can kind of see what we want because again, I think
[2:31:00] with the state kind of doing our planning for us in terms of the density, it really takes
[2:31:07] away a lot of ability to plan. And so just something to think about, and I can, yeah.
[2:31:16] I would second that. I am very much in agreement with that. I think that's a really important
[2:31:20] area of town and I think that I would like to see it planned out by the town in our
[2:31:29] station area plan so that as the developers come in, it's already like it's already laid
[2:31:34] out and then there's not a very disjointed way of looking at it because of the three different
[2:31:38] developments.
[2:31:43] Anyone else?
[2:31:45] So I'm going to, I've had the discussion with the town manager a couple of times about
[2:31:50] And I know it's something that is we've had a lot of great information, great
[2:31:56] in presentations. We have all the facts provided to us, but I still, for the
[2:32:02] public's sake and new data, new information coming out. I just, so I'm not going
[2:32:09] to ask for an agenda item right now, but I just want to let you know that I will
[2:32:12] continue to figure out what it is at a town hall. I just feel like not addressing
[2:32:19] it further is not a good thing. I just a transparency is super important. How we go about that I'm
[2:32:26] not sure yet, but I just want to let the council know that it is something that I will continue
[2:32:31] to have a discussion with our town manager to figure something out. So that's it for me,
[2:32:38] anything else before I turn? I would just like to comment on that, Mary, that I think that transparency is
[2:32:44] It's super important for flock as well and I'll be attending the flock meeting tomorrow night at the city of Santa Rosa and encourage everyone to go to them and and try to get information from that as well.
[2:32:55] And would be open to putting on a similar type of meeting here at the town of Windsor for that so people can have their questions asked, give feedback all of that and have that be run by our town staff.
[2:33:06] Perfect. Thank you for that. Okay, I will go ahead and adjourn this meeting. Thank you, everybody.
[2:33:14] Thank you, Rosa.